THE  COMPLETE  WORKS 

OF 

JAMES  FENIMORE  COOPER 


MOHAWK  EDITION 


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Uniform  in  general  style  with  the  Hudson  Edition  of  living's  Works. 

Section  I.  Comprises:  Section  II.  Comprises: 

f  THB  DBERSLAYBR  f  THE  PILOT 
LAST  CP  THB  MOHICANS  RED  ROVER 

I  THE  PATHFINDER  J  WING  AND  WING 

1  THE  PIONEERS  1  THE  WATER-WITCH 
THEPRAIRIB  THB  Two  ADMIRALS 

(.  THE  SPY  I  THE  SEA-LIONS 

Section  III.  Comprises: 

(HOMEWARD  BOUND 
HOME  AS  FOUND 
THE  CRATER 
AFLOAT  AND  ASHORE 
MILES  WALLINGFORD 
JACK  TIER 

Section  IV.  Comprises :  Section  V.  Comprises  t 

PRECAUTION  f  MERCEDES  OF  CASTILB 
LIONEL  LINCOLN  THE  CHAINBEARER 

WYANDOTTB  I  SATANSTOB 

WEPT  OF  WISH-TON-WISH  4  THE  HEIDENMAUBR 

THE  BRAVO  !  THE  HEADSMAN 

THE  WAYS  OF  THE  HOUR  I  THE  MONIKINS 

THB  REDSKINS  (.  OAK  OPENINGS 
MED  MYERS   ' 

G.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS 

NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 


/IDobawfe  j£Mtion 

THE  WORKS 

OF 

JAMES  FENIMORE  COOPER 

; 

THE 
WEPT  OF  WISH-TON-WISH 


G.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS 

NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 
Iknicfcerbocfcer 


THE  REV.  J.  R.  C., 

OF 

PENNSYLVANIA. 


THE  kind  and  disinterested  manner  in  which  you  have  furnished 
the  materials  of  the  following  tale  merits  a  public  acknowledgment. 
As  your  reluctance  to  appear  before  the  world,  however,  imposes  a 
restraint,  you  must  receive  such  evidence  of  gratitude  as  your  own 
prohibition  will  allow. 

Notwithstanding  there  are  so  many  striking  and  deeply  interesting 
events  in  the  early  history  of  those  from  whom  you  derive  your  being, 
yet  are  there  hundreds  of  other  families  in  this  country  whose  tradi- 
tions, though  less  accurately  and  minutely  preserved  than  the  little 
narrative  you  have  submitted  to  my  inspection,  would  supply  the 
materials  of  many  moving  tales.  You  have  every  reason  to  exult  in 
your  descent,  for,  surely,  if  any  man  may  claim  to  be  a  citizen  and  a 
proprietor  in  the  Union,  it  is  one  that,  like  yourself,  can  point  to  a  line 
of  ancestors  whose  origin  is  lost  in  the  obscurity  of  time.  You  are 
truly  an  American.  In  your  eyes,  we  of  a  brief  century  or  two  must 
appear  as  little  more  than  denizens  quite  recently  admitted  to  the 
privilege  of  a  residence.  That  you  may  continue  to  enjoy  peace  and 
happiness,  in  that  land  where  your  fathers  so  long  flourished,  is  the 
sincere  wish  of  your  obliged  friend. 


PREFACE 


AT  this  distant  period,  when  Indian  traditions  are 
listened  to  with  the  interest  that  we  lend  to  the 
events  of  a  dark  age,  it  is  not  easy  to  convey  a 
vivid  image  of  the  dangers  and  privations  that  our 
ancestors  encountered,  in  preparing  the  land  we  enjoy  for  its 
present  state  of  security  and  abundance.     It  is  the  humble 
object  of  the  tale  that  will  be  found  in  the  succeeding  pages, 
to  perpetuate  the  recollection  of  some  of  the  practices  and 
events  peculiar  to  the  early  days  of  our  history. 

The  general  character  of  the  warfare  pursued  by  the  na- 
tives is  too  well  known  to  require  any  preliminary  observa- 
tions ;  but  it  may  be  advisable  to  direct  the  attention  of  the 
reader,  for  a  few  moments,  to  those  leading  circumstances  in 
the  history  of  the  times,  that  may  have  some  connection  with 
the  principal  business  of  the  legend. 

The  territory  which  now  composes  the  three  States  of 
Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  Rhode  Island  is  said  by 
the  best-informed  of  our  annalists,  to  have  been  formerly  oc- 
cupied by  four  great  nations  of  Indians,  who  were,  as  usual, 
subdivided  into  numberless  dependent  tribes.  Of  these 
people,  the  Massachusetts  possessed  a  large  portion  of  the 
land  which  now  composes  the  State  of  that  name  ;  the  Wam- 
panoags  dwelt  in  what  was  once  the  Colony  of  Plymouth, 
and  in  the  northern  districts  of  the  Providence  Plantations  ; 
the  Narragansetts  held  the  well-known  islands  of  the  beau- 
tiful bay  which  receives  its  name  from  their  nation,  and  the 
more  southern  counties  of  the  Plantations  ;  while  the  Pe- 
quots,  or  as  it  is  ordinarily  written  and  pronounced,  the 


vi  preface 


Pequods,  were  masters  of  a  broad  region  that  lay  along  the 
western  boundaries  of  the  three  other  districts. 

There  is  great  obscurity  thrown  around  the  polity  of  the 
Indians  who  usually  occupied  the  country  lying  near  the  sea. 

The  Europeans,  accustomed  to  despotic  governments,  very 
naturally  supposed  that  the  chiefs,  found  in  possession  of 
power,  were  monarchs  to  whom  authority  had  been  transmit- 
ted in  virtue  of  their  birthrights.  They  consequently  gave 
them  the  name  of  kings. 

How  far  this  opinion  of  the  governments  of  the  aborig- 
ines was  true  remains  a  question,  though  there  is  certainly 
reason  to  think  it  less  erroneous  in  respect  to  the  tribes  of 
the  Atlantic  States,  than  to  those  who  have  since  been  found 
farther  west,  where  it  is  sufficiently  known  that  institutions 
exist  which  approach  much  nearer  to  republics  than  to  mon- 
archies. It  may,  however,  have  readily  happened  that  the 
son,  profiting  by  the  advantages  of  his  situation,  often  suc- 
ceeded to  the  authority  of  the  father,  by  the  aid  of  influence, 
when  the  established  regulations  of  the  tribe  acknowledged 
no  hereditary  claim.  L,et  the  principle  of  the  descent  of 
power  be  what  it  would,  it  is  certain  the  experience  of  our 
ancestors  proves  that,  in  very  many  instances,  the  child  was 
seen  to  occupy  the  station  formerly  filled  by  the  father  ;  and 
that  in  most  of  those  situations  of  emergency,  in  which  a 
people  so  violent  were  often  placed,  the  authority  he  exercised 
was  as  summary  as  it  was  general.  The  appellation  of 
Uncas  came,  like  those  of  the  Caesars  and  Pharaohs,  to  be  a 
sort  of  synonym  for  chief  with  the  Mohegans,  a  tribe  of  the 
Pequots,  among  whom  several  warriors  of  this  name  were 
known  to  govern  in  due  succession.  The  renowned  Meta- 
com,  or,  as  he  is  better  known  to  the  whites,  King  Philip, 
was  certainly  the  son  of  Massasoit,  the  Sachem  of  the  Wam- 
panoags  that  the  emigrants  found  in  authority  when  they 
landed  on  the  rock  of  Plymouth.  Miantonimoh,  the  daring 
but  hapless  rival  of  that  Uncas,  who  ruled  the  whole  of  the 
Pequot  nation,  was  succeeded  in  authority  among  the  Nar- 
ragansetts  by  his  not  less  heroic  and  enterprising  son,  Co- 
nanchet ;  and  even  at  a  much  later  day,  we  find  instances 
of  this  transmission  of  power,  which  furnish  strong  reasons 


preface  vii 


for  believing  that  the  order  of  succession  was  in  the  direct 
line  of  blood. 

The  early  annals  of  our  history  are  not  wanting  in  touch- 
ing and  noble  examples  of  savage  heroism.  Virginia  has 
its  legend  of  the  powerful  Powhattan  and  his  magnanimous 
daughter,  the  ill-requited  Pocahontas ;  and  the  chronicles 
of  New  England  are  filled  with  the  bold  designs  and  daring 
enterprises  of  Miantonimoh,  of  Metacom,  and  of  Conanchet. 
All  the  last-named  warriors  proved  themselves  worthy  of 
better  fates,  dying  in  a  cause  and  in  a  manner  that,  had  it 
been  their  fortune  to  have  lived  in  a  more  advanced  state 
of  society,  would  have  enrolled  their  names  among  the 
worthies  of  the  age. 

The  first  serious  war  to  which  the  settlers  of  New  Eng- 
land were  exposed  was  the  struggle  with  the  Pequots. 
These  people  were  subdued  after  a  fierce  conflict ;  and  from 
being  enemies,  all  who  were  not  either  slain  or  sent  into 
distant  slavery  were  glad  to  become  the  auxiliaries  of  their 
conquerors.  This  contest  occurred  within  less  than  twenty 
years  after  the  Puritans  had  sought  refuge  in  America. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  Metacom  foresaw  the  fate 
of  his  own  people,  in  the  humbled  fortunes  of  the  Pequots. 
Though  his  father  had  been  the  earliest  and  constant  friend 
of  the  whites,  it  is  probable  that  the  Puritans  owed  some 
portion  of  this  amity  to  a  dire  necessity.  We  are  told  that 
a  terrible  malady  had  raged  among  the  Wampanoags  but 
a  short  time  before  the  arrival  of  the  emigrants,  and  that 
their  numbers  had  been  fearfully  reduced  by  its  ravages. 
Some  authors  have  hinted  at  the  probability  of  this  disease 
having  been  the  yellow  fever,  whose  visitations  are  known 
to  be  at  uncertain,  and,  apparently,  at  very  distant  intervals. 
Whatever  might  have  been  the  cause  of  this  destruction  of 
his  people,  Massasoit  is  believed  to  have  been  induced,  by 
the  consequences,  to  cultivate  the  alliance  of  a  nation  who 
could  protect  him  against  the  attacks  of  his  ancient  and  less 
afflicted  foes.  But  the  son  appears  to  have  viewed  the  in- 
creasing influence  of  the  whites  with  eyes  more  jealous  than 
those  of  the  father.  He  passed  the  morning  of  his  life  in 
maturing  his  great  plan  for  the  destruction  of  the  strange 


preface 


Pequods,  were  masters  of  a  broad  region  that  lay  along  the 
western  boundaries  of  the  three  other  districts. 

There  is  great  obscurity  thrown  around  the  polity  of  the 
Indians  who  usually  occupied  the  country  lying  near  the  sea. 

The  Europeans,  accustomed  to  despotic  governments,  very 
naturally  supposed  that  the  chiefs,  found  in  possession  of 
power,  were  monarchs  to  whom  authority  had  been  transmit- 
ted in  virtue  of  their  birthrights.  They  consequently  gave 
them  the  name  of  kings. 

How  far  this  opinion  of  the  governments  of  the  aborig- 
ines was  true  remains  a  question,  though  there  is  certainly 
reason  to  think  it  less  erroneous  in  respect  to  the  tribes  of 
the  Atlantic  States,  than  to  those  who  have  since  been  found 
farther  west,  where  it  is  sufficiently  known  that  institutions 
exist  which  approach  much  nearer  to  republics  than  to  mon- 
archies. It  may,  however,  have  readily  happened  that  the 
son,  profiting  by  the  advantages  of  his  situation,  often  suc- 
ceeded to  the  authority  of  the  father,  by  the  aid  of  influence, 
when  the  established  regulations  of  the  tribe  acknowledged 
no  hereditary  claim.  Let  the  principle  of  the  descent  of 
power  be  what  it  would,  it  is  certain  the  experience  of  our 
ancestors  proves  that,  in  very  many  instances,  the  child  was 
seen  to  occupy  the  station  formerly  filled  by  the  father  ;  and 
that  in  most  of  those  situations  of  emergency,  in  which  a 
people  so  violent  were  often  placed,  the  authority  he  exercised 
was  as  summary  as  it  was  general.  The  appellation  of 
Uncas  came,  like  those  of  the  Caesars  and  Pharaohs,  to  be  a 
sort  of  synonym  for  chief  with  the  Mohegans,  a  tribe  of  the 
Pequots,  among  whom  several  warriors  of  this  name  were 
known  to  govern  in  due  succession.  The  renowned  Meta- 
com,  or,  as  he  is  better  known  to  the  whites,  King  Philip, 
was  certainly  the  son  of  Massasoit,  the  Sachem  of  the  Wam- 
panoags  that  the  emigrants  found  in  authority  when  they 
landed  on  the  rock  of  Plymouth.  Miantonimoh,  the  daring 
but  hapless  rival  of  that  Uncas,  who  ruled  the  whole  of  the 
Pequot  nation,  was  succeeded  in  authority  among  the  Nar- 
ragansetts  by  his  not  less  heroic  and  enterprising  son,  Co- 
nanchet ;  and  even  at  a  much  later  day,  we  find  instances 
of  this  transmission  of  power,  which  furnish  strong  reasons 


preface  vii 


for  believing  that  the  order  of  succession  was  in  the  direct 
line  of  blood. 

The  early  annals  of  our  history  are  not  wanting  in  touch- 
ing and  noble  examples  of  savage  heroism.  Virginia  has 
its  legend  of  the  powerful  Powhattan  and  his  magnanimous 
daughter,  the  ill-requited  Pocahontas ;  and  the  chronicles 
of  New  England  are  filled  with  the  bold  designs  and  daring 
enterprises  of  Miantonimoh,  of  Metacom,  and  of  Conanchet. 
All  the  last-named  warriors  proved  themselves  worthy  of 
better  fates,  dying  in  a  cause  and  in  a  manner  that,  had  it 
been  their  fortune  to  have  lived  in  a  more  advanced  state 
of  society,  would  have  enrolled  their  names  among  the 
worthies  of  the  age. 

The  first  serious  war  to  which  the  settlers  of  New  Kng- 
land  were  exposed  was  the  struggle  with  the  Pequots. 
These  people  were  subdued  after  a  fierce  conflict ;  and  from 
being  enemies,  all  who  were  not  either  slain  or  sent  into 
distant  slavery  were  glad  to  become  the  auxiliaries  of  their 
conquerors.  This  contest  occurred  within  less  than  twenty 
years  after  the  Puritans  had  sought  refuge  in  America. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  Metacom  foresaw  the  fate 
of  his  own  people,  in  the  humbled  fortunes  of  the  Pequots. 
Though  his  father  had  been  the  earliest  and  constant  friend 
of  the  whites,  it  is  probable  that  the  Puritans  owed  some 
portion  of  this  amity  to  a  dire  necessity.  We  are  told  that 
a  terrible  malady  had  raged  among  the  Wampanoags  but 
a  short  time  before  the  arrival  of  the  emigrants,  and  that 
their  numbers  had  been  fearfully  reduced  by  its  ravages. 
Some  authors  have  hinted  at  the  probability  of  this  disease 
having  been  the  yellow  fever,  whose  visitations  are  known 
to  be  at  uncertain,  and,  apparently,  at  very  distant  intervals. 
Whatever  might  have  been  the  cause  of  this  destruction  of 
his  people,  Massasoit  is  believed  to  have  been  induced,  by 
the  consequences,  to  cultivate  the  alliance  of  a  nation  who 
could  protect  him  against  the  attacks  of  his  ancient  and  less 
afflicted  foes.  But  the  son  appears  to  have  viewed  the  in- 
creasing influence  of  the  whites  with  eyes  more  jealous  than 
those  of  the  father.  He  passed  the  morning  of  his  life  in 
maturing  his  great  plan  for  the  destruction  of  the  strange 


viii  preface 


race,  and  his  later  years  were  spent  in  abortive  attempts  to 
put  this  bold  design  in  execution.  His  restless  activity  in 
plotting  the  confederation  against  the  Knglish,  his  fierce 
and  ruthless  manner  of  waging  the  war,  his  defeat,  and  his 
death,  are  too  well  known  to  require  repetition. 

There  is  also  a  wild  and  romantic  interest  thrown  about 
the  obscure  history  of  a  Frenchman  of  that  period.  This 
man  is  said  to  have  been  an  officer  of  rank  in  the  service  of 
his  king,  and  to  have  belonged  to  the  privileged  class  which 
then  monopolized  all  the  dignities  and  emoluments  of  the 
kingdom  of  France.  The  traditions,  and  even  the  written 
annals  of  the  first  century  of  our  possession  of  America, 
connect  the  Baron  de  la  Castine  with  the  Jesuits,  who  were 
thought  to  entertain  views  of  converting  the  savages  to 
Christianity,  not  unmingled  with  the  desire  of  establishing 
a  more  temporal  dominion  over  their  minds.  It  is,  how- 
ever, difficult  to  say  whether  taste,  or  religion,  or  policy,  or 
necessity,  induced  this  nobleman  to  quit  the  saloons  of  Paris 
for  the  wilds  of  the  Penobscot.  It  is  merely  known  that 
he  passed  the  greater  part  of  his  life  on  that  river,  in  a  rude 
fortress  that  was  then  called  a  palace ;  that  he  had  many 
wives,  a  numerous  progeny,  and  that  he  possessed  a  great 
influence  over  most  of  the  tribes  that  dwelt  in  his  vicinity. 
He  is  also  believed  to  have  been  the  instrument  of  furnish- 
ing the  savages  who  were  hostile  to  the  Knglish,  with 
ammunition,  and  with  weapons  of  a  more  deadly  character 
than  those  used  in  their  earlier  wars.  In  whatever  degree 
he  may  have  participated  in  the  plan  to  exterminate  the 
Puritans,  death  prevented  him  from  assisting  in  the  final 
effort  of  Metacom. 

The  Narragansetts  are  often  mentioned  in  these  pages. 
A  few  years  before  the  period  at  which  the  tale  commences, 
Miantonimoh  had  waged  a  ruthless  war  against  Uncas,  the 
Pequot  or  Mohegan  chief.  Fortune  favored  the  latter, 
who,  probably  assisted  by  his  civilized  allies,  not  only  over- 
threw the  bands  of  the  other,  but  succeeded  in  capturing  the 
person  of  his  enemy.  The  chief  of  the  Narragansetts  lost 
his  life,  through  the  agency  of  the  whites,  on  the  place  that 
is  now  known  by  the  appellation  of  "  The  Sachem's  Plain." 


preface 


It  remains  only  to  throw  a  little  light  on  the  leading 
incidents  of  the  war  of  King  Philip.  The  first  blow  was 
struck  in  June,  1675,  rather  more  than  half  a  century  after 
the  English  first  landed  in  New  England,  and  just  a  century 
before  blood  was  drawn  in  the  contest  which  separated  the 
colonies  from  the  mother  country.  The  scene  was  a  settle- 
ment near  the  celebrated  Mount  Hope,  in  Rhode  Island, 
where  Metacom  and  his  father  had  both  long  held  their 
councils.  From  this  point,  bloodshed  and  massacre  ex- 
tended along  the  whole  frontier  of  New  England.  Bodies 
of  horse  and  foot  were  enrolled  to  meet  the  foe,  and  towns 
were  burnt,  and  lives  were  taken  by  both  parties,  with  little 
and  often  with  no  respect  for  age,  condition,  or  sex. 

In  no  struggle  with  the  native  owners  of  the  soil  was  the 
growing  power  of  the  whites  placed  in  so  great  jeopardy,  as 
in  this  celebrated  contest  with  King  Philip.  The  venerable 
historian  of  Connecticut  estimates  the  loss  of  lives  at  nearly 
one  tenth  of  the  whole  number  of  the  fighting  men,  and  the 
destruction  of  houses  and  other  edifices  to  have  been  in  an 
equal  proportion.  One  family  in  every  eleven,  throughout 
all  New  England,  was  burnt  out.  As  the  colonists  nearest 
the  sea  were  exempt  from  the  danger,  an  idea  may  be 
formed,  from  this  calculation,  of  the  risk  and  sufferings  of 
those  who  dwelt  in  more  exposed  situations.  The  Indians 
did  not  escape  without  retaliation.  The  principal  nations, 
already  mentioned,  were  so  much  reduced  as  never  after- 
wards to  offer  any  serious  resistance  to  the  whites,  who 
have  since  converted  the  whole  of  their  ancient  hunting- 
grounds  into  the  abodes  of  civilized  man.  Metacom,  Mian- 
tonimoh,  and  Conanchet,  with  their  warriors,  have  become 
the  heroes  of  song  and  legend,  while  the  descendants  of 
those  who  laid  waste  their  dominions,  and  destroyed  their 
race,  are  yielding  a  tardy  tribute  to  the  high  daring  and 
savage  grandeur  of  their  characters. 


THE  WEPT  OF  WISH-TON-WISH. 


CHAPTER  I. 

"  I  may  disjoin  my  hand,  but  not  my  faith." 

SHAKESPEARE. 

THK  incidents  of  this  tale  must  be  sought  in  a  remote 
period  of  the  annals  of  America.  A  colony  of 
self-devoted  and  pious  refugees  from  religious 
persecution  had  landed  on  the  rock  of  Plymouth, 
less  than  half  a  century  before  the  time  at  which  the  narra- 
tive commences  ;  and  they  and  their  descendants  had  already 
transformed  many  a  broad  waste  of  wilderness  into  smiling 
fields  and  cheerful  villages.  The  labors  of  the  emigrants 
had  been  chiefly  limited  to  the  country  on  the  coast,  which, 
by  its  proximity  to  the  waters  that  rolled  between  them  and 
Europe,  afforded  the  semblance  of  a  connection  with  the  land 
of  their  forefathers  and  the  distant  abodes  of  civilization. 
But  enterprise,  and  a  desire  to  search  for  still  more  fertile 
domains,  together  with  the  temptation  offered  by  the  vast 
and  unknown  regions  that  lay  along  their  western  and  north- 
ern borders,  had  induced  many  bold  adventurers  to  penetrate 
more  deeply  into  the  forests.  The  precise  spot  to  which  we 
desire  to  transport  the'  imagination  of  the  reader  was  one  of 
these  establishments  of  what  may,  not  inaptly,  be  called  the 
forlorn-hope  in  the  march  of  civilization  through  the  country. 
So  little  was  then  known  of  the  great  outlines  of  the 
American  continent,  that,  when  the  L,ords  Say  and  Seal, 
and  Brooke,  connected  with  a  few  associates,  obtained  a 

i 


ZTbe  Wept  of 


grant  of  the  territory  which  now  composes  the  State  of 
Connecticut,  the  King  of  England  affixed  his  name  to  a 
patent  which  constituted  them  proprietors  of  a  country  that 
should  extend  from  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic  to  those  of 
the  South  Sea.  Notwithstanding  the  apparent  hopelessness 
of  ever  subduing,  or  of  even  occupying  a  territory  like  this, 
emigrants  from  the  mother  colony  of  Massachusetts  were 
found  ready  to  commence  the  Herculean  labor  within  fif- 
teen years  from  the  day  when  they  had  first  put  foot  upon 
the  well-known  rock  itself.  The  fort  of  Say-Brooke,  the 
towns  of  Windsor,  Hartford,  and  New  Haven,  soon  sprang 
into  existence,  and  from  that  period  to  this,  the  little  com- 
munity which  then  had  birth  has  been  steadily,  calmly,  and 
prosperously  advancing  in  its  career,  a  model  of  order  and 
reason,  and  the  hive  from  which  swarms  of  industrious, 
hardy,  and  enlightened  yeomen  have  since  spread  them- 
selves over  a  surface  so  vast  as  to  create  an  impression  that 
they  still  aspire  to  the  possession  of  the  immense  regions 
included  in  their  original  grant. 

Among  the  religionists  whom  disgust  of  persecution  had 
early  driven  into  the  voluntary  exile  of  the  colonies,  was 
more  than  an  usual  proportion  of  men  of  character  and 
education.  The  reckless  and  the  gay,  younger  sons,  sol- 
diers unemployed,  and  students  from  the  Inns  of  Court, 
early  sought  advancement  and  adventure  in  the  more  south- 
ern provinces,  where  slaves  offered  immunity  from  labor, 
and  where  war,  with  a  bolder  and  more  stirring  policy, 
oftener  gave  rise  to  scenes  of  excitement,  and,  of  course,  to 
the  exercise  of  the  faculties  best  suited  to  their  habits  and 
dispositions.  The  more  grave,  and  the  religiously  disposed, 
found  refuge  in  the  colonies  of  New  England.  Thither  a 
multitude  of  private  gentlemen  transferred  their  fortunes 
and  their  families,  imparting  a  character  of  intelligence  and 
a  moral  elevation  to  the  country,  which  it  has  nobly  sus- 
tained to  the  present  hour. 

The  nature  of  the  civil  wars  in  England  had  enlisted 
many  men  of  deep  and  sincere  piety  into  the  profession  of 
arms.  Some  of  them  had  retired  to  the  colonies  before  the 
troubles  of  the  mother  country  reached  their  crisis,  and 


TKDlept  of 


others  continued  to  arrive,  throughout  the  whole  period  of 
their  existence,  until  the  Restoration ;  when  crowds  of 
those  who  had  been  disaffected  to  the  house  of  Stuart  sought 
the  security  of  these  distant  possessions. 

A  stern,  fanatical  soldier,  of  the  name  of  Heathcote,  had 
been  among  the  first  of  his  class  to  throw  aside  the  sword 
for  the  implements  of  industry  peculiar  to  the  advancement 
of  a  newly  established  country.  How  far  the  influence  of  a 
young  wife  may  have  affected  his  decision,  it  is  not  germane 
to  our  present  object  to  consider ;  though  the  records,  from 
which  the  matter  we  are  about  to  relate  is  gleaned,  give 
reason  to  suspect  that  he  thought  his  domestic  harmony 
would  not  be  less  secure  in  the  wilds  of  the  New  World, 
than  among  the  companions  with  whom  his  earlier  associa- 
tions would  naturally  have  brought  him  in  communion. 

L,ike  himself,  his  consort  was  born  of  one  of  those  fam- 
ilies which,  taking  their  rise  in  the  franklins  of  the  times  of 
the  Edwards  and  the  Henries,  had  become  possessors  of 
hereditary  landed  estates,  that,  by  their  gradually  increasing 
value,  had  elevated  them  to  the  station  of  small  country 
gentlemen.  In  most  other  nations  of  Europe,  they  would 
have  been  rated  in  the  class  of  the  petite  noblesse.  But  the 
domestic  happiness  of  Captain  Heathcote  was  doomed  to 
receive  a  fatal  blow  from  a  quarter  where  circumstances  had 
given  him  but  little  reason  to  apprehend  danger.  The 
very  day  he  landed  in  the  long-wished-for  asylum,  his  wife 
made  him  the  father  of  a  noble  boy,  a  gift  that  she  bestowed 
at  the  melancholy  price  of  her  own  existence.  Twenty 
years  the  senior  of  the  woman  who  had  followed  his  for- 
tunes to  these  distant  regions,  the  retired  warrior  had 
always  considered  it  to  be  perfectly  and  absolutely  within 
the  order  of  things,  that  he  himself  was  to  be  the  first  to 
pay  the  debt  of  nature.  While  the  visions  which  Captain 
Heathcote  entertained  of  a  future  world  were  sufficiently 
vivid  and  distinct,  there  is  reason  to  think  they  were  seen 
through  a  tolerably  long  vista  of  quiet  and  comfortable  en- 
joyment in  this.  Though  the  calamity  cast  an  additional 
aspect  of  seriousness  over  a  character  that  was  already 
more  than  chastened  by  the  subtleties  of  sectarian  doctrines, 


Ube  Mept  of 


he  was  not  of  a  nature  to  be  unmanned  by  any  vicissitude 
of  human  fortune.  He  lived  on,  useful  and  unbending  in 
his  habits,  a  pillar  of  strength  in  the  way  of  wisdom  and 
courage  to  the  immediate  neighborhood  among  whom  he 
resided,  but  reluctant  from  temper,  and  from  a  disposition 
which  had  been  shadowed  by  withered  happiness,  to  enact 
that  part  in  the  public  affairs  of  the  little  state,  to  which 
his  comparative  wealth  and  previous  habits  might  well  have 
entitled  him  to  aspire.  He  gave  his  son  such  an  education 
as  his  own  resources  and  those  of  the  infant  colony  of  Mas- 
sachusetts afforded,  and,  by  a  sort  of  delusive  piety,  into 
whose  merits  we  have  no  desire  to  look,  he  thought  he  had 
also  furnished  a  commendable  evidence  of  his  own  desperate 
resignation  to  the  will  of  Providence,  in  causing  him  to  be 
publicly  christened  by  the  name  of  Content.  His  own  bap- 
tismal appellation  was  Mark  ;  as  indeed  had  been  that  of 
most  of  his  ancestors,  for  two  or  three  centuries.  When 
the  world  was  a  little  uppermost  in  his  thoughts,  as  some*, 
times  happens  with  the  most  humbled  spirits,  he  had  even 
been  heard  to  speak  of  a  Sir  Mark  of  his  family,  who  had 
ridden,  a  knight,  in  the  train  of  one  of  the  more  warlike 
kings  of  his  native  land. 

There  is  some  ground  for  believing  that  the  great  parent 
of  evil  early  looked  with  malignant  eye  on  the  example  of 
peacefulness,  and  unbending  morality,  that  the  colonists 
of  New  England  were  setting  to  the  rest  of  Christendom. 
At  any  rate,  come  from  what  quarter  they  might,  schisms 
and  doctrinal  contentions  arose  among  the  emigrants  them- 
selves ;  and  men  who  together  had  deserted  the  firesides  of 
their  forefathers,  in  quest  of  religious  peace,  were  erelong 
seen  separating  their  fortunes,  in  order  that  each  might 
enjoy,  unmolested,  those  peculiar  shades  of  faith  which  all 
had  the  presumption,  no  less  than  the  folly,  to  believe  were 
necessary  to  propitiate  the  omnipotent  and  merciful  Father 
of  the  universe.  If  our  task  were  one  of  theology,  a  whole- 
some moral  on  the  vanity,  no  less  than  on  the  absurdity  of 
the  race,  might  be  here  introduced  to  some  advantage. 

When  Mark  Heathcote  announced  to  the  community  in 
which  he  had  now  sojourned  more  than  twenty  years,  that 


Wept  of  Wfsb*aon*Wteb  5 

he  intended  for  a  second  time  to  establish  his  altars 
in  the  wilderness,  in  the  hope  that  he  and  his  household 
might  worship  God  as  to  them  seemed  most  right,  the  intel- 
ligence was  received  with  a  feeling  allied  to  awe.  Doctrine 
and  zeal  were  momentarily  forgotten,  in  the  respect  and 
attachment  which  had  been  unconsciously  created  by  the 
united  influence  of  the  stern  severity  of  his  air,  and  of  the 
undeniable  virtues  of  his  practice.  The  elders  of  the  settle- 
ment communed  with  him  freely  and  in  charity ;  but  the 
voice  of  conciliation  and  alliance  came  too  late.  He  listened 
to  the  reasonings  of  the  ministers,  who  were  assembled  from 
all  the  adjoining  parishes,  in  sullen  respect;  and  he  joined 
in  the  petitions  for  light  and  instruction  that  were  offered  up 
on  the  occasion,  with  the  deep  reverence  with  which  he  ever 
drew  near  to  the  footstool  of  the  Almighty  ;  but  he  did  both 
in  a  temper  into  which  too  much  positiveness  of  spiritual 
pride  had  entered,  to  open  his  heart  to  that  sympathy  and 
charity  which,  as  they  are  the  characteristics  of  our  mild 
and  forebearing  doctrines,  should  be  the  study  of  those  who 
profess  to  follow  their  precepts.  All  that  was  seemly,  and 
all  that  was  usual,  was  done ;  but  the  purpose  of  the  stub- 
born sectarian  remained  unchanged.  His  final  decision  is 
worthy  of  being  recorded. 

"My  youth  was  wasted  in  ungodliness  and  ignorance," 
he  said,  "but  in  my  manhood  have  I  known  the  Lord. 
Near  two-score  years  have  I  toiled  for  the  truth,  and  all 
that  weary  time  have  I  passed  in  trimming  my  lamps,  lest, 
like  the  foolish  virgins,  I  should  be  caught  unprepared ;  and 
now,  when  my  loins  are  girded  and  my  race  is  nearly  run, 
shall  I  become  a  backslider  and  falsifier  of  the  word  ? 
Much  have  I  endured,  as  you  know,  in  quitting  the  earthly 
mansion  of  my  fathers,  and  in  encountering  the  dangers  of 
sea  and  land  for  the  faith  ;  and,  rather  than  let  go  its  hold, 
will  I  once  more  cheerfully  devote  to  the  howling  wilder- 
ness, ease,  offspring,  and,  should  it  be  the  will  of  Provi- 
dence, life  itself !  " 

The  day  of  parting  was  one  of  unfeigned  and  general 
sorrow.  Notwithstanding  the  austerity  of  the  old  man' s  char- 
acter, and  the  nearly  unbending  severity  of  his  brow,  the 


Ube  TPQlept  of 


milk  of  human  kindness  had  often  been  seen  distilling  from 
his  stern  nature  in  acts  that  did  not  admit  of  misinterpreta- 
tion. There  was  scarcely  a  young  beginner  in  the  laborious 
and  ill-requited  husbandry  of  the  township  he  inhabited,  a 
district  at  no  time  considered  either  profitable  or  fertile,  who 
could  not  recall  some  secret  and  kind  aid  which  had  flowed 
from  a  hand  that,  to  the  world,  seemed  clenched  in  cautious 
and  reserved  frugality  ;  nor  did  any  of  the  faithful  of  his 
vicinity  cast  their  fortunes  together  in  wedlock,  without 
receiving  from  him  evidence  of  an  interest  in  their  worldly 
happiness,  that  was  far  more  substantial  than  words. 

On  the  morning  when  the  vehicles,  groaning  with  the 
household  goods  of  Mark  Heathcote,  were  seen  quitting  his 
door,  and  taking  the  road  which  led  to  the  sea-side,  not  a 
human  being  of  sufficient  age,  within  many  miles  of  his 
residence,  was  absent  from  the  interesting  spectacle.  The 
leave-taking,  as  usual  on  all  serious  occasions,  was  preceded 
by  a  hymn  and  prayer,  and  then  the  sternly  -minded  adven- 
turer embraced  his  neighbors,  with  a  mien  in  which  a  sub- 
dued exterior  struggled  fearfully  and  strangely  with 
emotions  that  more  than  once  threatened  to  break  though 
even  the  formidable  barriers  of  his  acquired  manner.  The 
inhabitants  of  every  building  on  the  road  were  in  the  open 
air,  to  receive  and  to  return  the  parting  benediction.  More 
than  once  they  who  guided  his  teams  were  commanded  to 
halt,  and  all  near,  possessing  human  aspirations  and  human 
responsibility,  were  collected  to  offer  petitions  in  favor  of  him 
who  departed  and  of  those  who  remained.  The  requests  for 
mortal  privileges  were  somewhat  light  and  hasty,  but  the 
askings  in  behalf  of  intellectual  and  spiritual  light  were 
long,  fervent,  and  oft-repeated.  In  this  characteristic  man- 
ner did  one  of  the  first  of  the  emigrants  to  the  New  World 
make  his  second  removal  into  scenes  of  renewed  bodily 
suffering,  privation,  and  danger. 

Neither  person  nor  property  was  transferred  from  place  to 
place,  in  this  country,  at  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury, with  the  despatch  and  with  the  facilities  of  the  present 
time.  The  roads  were  necessarily  few  and  short,  and  com- 
munication by  water  was  irregular,  tardy,  and  far  from 


Wept  of  Misb*Tron=TKHtsb  7 

commodious.  A  wide  barrier  of  forest  lying  between  that 
portion  of  Massachusetts  Bay  from  which  Mark  Heathcote 
emigrated,  and  the  spot  near  the  Connecticut  River  to  which 
it  was  his  intention  to  proceed,  he  was  induced  to  adopt  the 
latter  mode  of  conveyance.  But  a  long  delay  intervened 
between  the  time  when  he  commenced  his  short  journey  to 
the  coast,  and  the  hour  when  he  was  finally  enabled  to 
embark.  During  this  detention  he  and  his  household 
sojourned  among  the  godly-minded  of  the  narrow  peninsula, 
where  there  already  existed  the  germ  of  a  flourishing  town, 
and  where  the  spires  of  a  noble  and  picturesque  city  now 
elevate  themselves  above  so  many  thousand  roofs. 

The  son  did  not  leave  the  colony  of  his  birth  and  the 
haunts  of  his  youth  with  the  same  unwavering  obedience  to 
the  call  of  duty  as  the  father.  There  was  a  fair,  a  youthful, 
and  a  gentle  being  in  the  recently  established  town  of  Boston, 
of  an  age,  station,  opinions,  fortunes,  and,  what  was  of  still 
greater  importance,  of  sympathies  suited  to  his  own.  Her 
form  had  long  mingled  with  those  holy  images  which  his 
stern  instruction  taught  him  to  keep  most  familiarly  before 
the  mirror  of  his  thoughts.  It  is  not  surprising,  then,  that 
the  youth  hailed  the  delay  as  propitious  to  his  wishes,  or 
that  he  turned  it  to  the  account  which  the  promptings  of  a 
pure  affection  so  naturally  suggested.  He  was  united  to  the 
gentle  Ruth  Harding  only  the  week  before  the  father  sailed 
on  his  second  pilgrimage. 

It  is  not  our  intention  to  dwell  on  the  incidents  of  the 
voyage.  Though  the  genius  of  an  extraordinary  man  had 
discovered  the  world  which  was  now  beginning  to  fill  with 
civilized  men,  navigation  at  that  day  was  not  brilliant  in  ac- 
complishments. A  passage  among  the  shoals  of  Nantucket 
must  have  been  one  of  actual  danger,  no  less  than  of  terror  ; 
and  the  ascent  of  the  Connecticut  itself  was  an  exploit  worthy 
of  being  mentioned.  In  due  time  the  adventurers  landed  at 
the  English  fort  of  Hartford,  where  they  tarried  for  the 
season,  in  order  to  obtain  rest  and  spiritual  comfort.  But 
the  peculiarity  of  doctrine  on  which  Mark  Heathcote  laid  so 
much  stress  was  one  that  rendered  it  advisable  for  him  to 
retire  still  farther  from  the  haunts  of  men.  Accompanied  by 


8  TTbe  TKHept  ot 


a  few  followers,  he  proceeded  on  an  exploring  expedition, 
and  the  end  of  the  summer  found  him  once  more  established 
on  an  estate  that  he  had  acquired  by  the  usual  simple  forms 
practised  in  the  colonies,  and  at  the  trifling  cost  for  which 
extensive  districts  were  then  set  apart  as  the  property  of 
individuals. 

The  love  of  the  things  of  this  life,  while  it  certainly  ex- 
isted, was  far  from  being  predominant  in  the  affections  of 
the  Puritan.  He  was  frugal  from  habit  and  principle,  more 
than  from  an  undue  longing  after  worldly  wealth.  He  conT 
tented  himself,  therefore,  with  acquiring  an  estate  that 
should  be  valuable,  rather  from  its  quality  and  beauty,  than 
from  its  extent.  Many  such  places  offered  themselves,  be- 
tween the  settlements  of  Wethersfield  and  Hartford,  and  that 
imaginary  line  which  separated  the  possessions  of  the  colony 
he  had  quitted  from  those  of  the  one  he  joined.  He  made 
his  location,  as  it  is  termed  in  the  language  of  the  country, 
near  the  northern  boundary  of  the  latter.  This  spot,  by  the 
aid  of  an  expenditure  that  might  have  been  considered  lavish 
for  the  country  and  the  age  ;  of  some  lingering  of  taste, 
which  even  the  self-denying  and  subdued  habits  of  his  later 
life  had  not  entirely  extinguished  ;  and  of  great  natural 
beauty  in  the  distribution  of  land,  water,  and  wood,  the  emi- 
grant contrived  to  convert  into  an  abode  that  was  not  more 
desirable  for  its  retirement  from  the  temptations  of  the  world, 
than  for  its  rural  loveliness. 

After  this  memorable  act  of  conscientious  self-devotion, 
years  passed  away  in  quiet,  amid  a  species  of  negative  pros- 
perity. Rumors  from  the  Old  World  reached  the  ears  of  the 
tenants  of  this  secluded  settlement,  months  after  the  events 
to  which  they  referred  were  elsewhere  forgotten,  and  tumults 
and  wars  in  the  sister  colonies  came  to  their  knowledge  only 
at  distant  and  tardy  intervals.  In  the  meantime,  the  limits 
of  the  colonial  establishments  were  gradually  extending 
themselves,  and  valleys  were  beginning  to  be  cleared  nearer 
and  nearer  to  their  own.  Old  age  had  now  begun  to  make 
some  visible  impression  on  the  iron  frame  of  the  captain  ; 
and  the  fresh  color  of  youth  and  health,  with  which  his 
son  had  entered  the  forest,  was  giving  way  to  the  brown 


Ube  Wept  of  Wteb*Uon=*Wteb  9 

covering  produced  by  exposure  and  toil.  We  say  of  toil,  for, 
independently  of  the  habits  and  opinions  of  the  country, 
which  strongly  reprobated  idleness,  even  in  those  most  gifted 
by  fortune,  the  daily  difficulties  of  their  situation,  the  chase, 
and  the  long  and  intricate  passages  that  the  veteran  himself 
was  compelled  to  adventure  in  the  surrounding  forest,  par- 
took largely  of  the  nature  of  the  term  we  have  used.  Ruth 
continued  blooming  and  youthful,  though  maternal  anxiety 
was  soon  added  to  her  other  causes  of  care.  Still,  for  a  long 
season,  naught  occurred  to  excite  extraordinary  regrets  for 
the  step  they  had  taken,  or  to  create  particular  uneasiness  in 
behalf  of  the  future.  The  borderers,  for  such  b)^  their  fron- 
tier position  they  had  in  truth  become,  heard  the  strange 
and  awful  tidings  of  the  dethronement  of  one  king,  of  the 
interregnum^  as  a  reign  of  more  than  usual  vigor  and  pros- 
perity is  called,  and  of  the  restoration  of  the  son  of  him  who 
is  strangely  enough  termed  a  martyr.  To  all  these  event- 
ful and  unwonted  chances  in  the  fortunes  of  kings,  Mark 
Heathcote  listened  with  deep  and  reverential  submission  to 
the  will  of  Him  in  whose  eyes  crowns  and  sceptres  are  merely 
the  more  costly  baubles  of  the  world.  Like  most  of  his  con- 
temporaries, who  had  sought  shelter  in  the  western  continent, 
his  political  opinions,  if  not  absolutely  republican,  had  a 
leaning  to  liberty  that  was  strongly  in  opposition  to  the 
doctrine  of  the  divine  rights  of  the  monarch,  while  he  had 
been  too  far  removed  from  the  stirring  passions  which  had 
gradually  excited  those  nearer  to  the  throne  to  lose  their 
respect  for  its  sanctity,  and  to  sully  its  brightness  with 
blood.  When  the  transient  and  straggling  visitors,  that  at 
long  intervals  visited  his  settlement,  spoke  of  the  Protector, 
who  for  so  many  years  ruled  England  with  an  iron  hand, 
the  eyes  of  the  old  man  would  gleam  with  sudden  and  sin- 
gular interest;  and  once  when  commenting  after  evening 
prayer  on  the  vanity  and  the  vicissitudes  of  this  life,  he  ac- 
knowledged that  the  extraordinary  individual  who  was,  in 
substance  if  not  in  name,  seated  on  the  throne  of  the  Planta- 
genets,  had  been  the  boon  companion  and  ungodly  associate 
of  many  of  his  youthful  hours.  Then  would  follow  a  long, 
wholesome,  extemporaneous  homily  on  the  idleness  of  setting 


io  ttbe  Wept  of 


the  affections  on  the  things  of  life,  and  a  half-suppressed, 
but  still  intelligible  commendation  of  the  wiser  course  which 
had  led  him  to  raise  his  own  tabernacle  in  the  wilderness,  in- 
stead of  weakening  the  chances  of  eternal  glory  by  striving 
too  much  for  the  possession  of  the  treacherous  vanities  of 
the  world. 

But  even  the  gentle  and  ordinarily  little  observant  Ruth 
might  trace  the  kindling  of  the  eye,  the  knitting  of  the 
brow,  and  the  flushings  of  his  pale  and  furrowed  cheek,  as 
the  murderous  conflicts  of  the  civil  wars  became  the  themes 
of  the  ancient  soldier's  discourse.  There  were  moments 
when  religious  submission,  and  we  had  almost  said,  re- 
ligious precepts,  were  partially  forgotten,  as  he  explained  to 
his  attentive  son  and  listening  grandchild,  the  nature  of  the 
onset,  or  the  quality  and  dignity  of  the  retreat.  At  such 
times,  his  still  nervous  hand  would  even  wield  the  blade,  in 
order  to  instruct  the  latter  in  its  uses,  and  many  a  long  win- 
ter evening  was  passed  in  thus  indirectly  teaching  an  art  that 
was  so  much  at  variance  with  the  mandates  of  his  divine 
Master.  The  chastened  soldier,  however,  never  forgot  to 
close  his  instruction  with  a  petition  extraordinary,  in  the 
customary  prayer,  that  no  descendant  of  his  should  ever 
take  life  from  a  being  unprepared  to  die,  except  in  justifiable 
defence  of  his  faith,  his  person,  or  his  lawful  rights.  It 
must  be  admitted,  that  a  liberal  construction  of  the  reserved 
privileges  would  leave  sufficient  matter  to  exercise  the  sub- 
tlety of  one  subject  to  any  extraordinary  propensity  to  arms. 

Few  opportunities  were  however  offered,  in  their  remote 
situation  and  with  their  peaceful  habits,  for  the  practice  of  a 
theory  that  had  been  taught  in  so  many  lessons.  Indian 
alarms,  as  they  were  termed,  were  not  unfrequent,  but,  as 
yet,  they  had  never  produced  more  than  terror  in  the  bosoms 
of  gentle  Ruth  and  her  young  offspring.  It  is  true,  they 
had  heard  of  travellers  massacred,  and  of  families  separated 
by  captivity,  but  either  by  a  happy  fortune,  or  by  more  than 
ordinary  prudence  in  the  settlers  who  were  established  along 
that  immediate  frontier,  the  knife  and  the  tomahawk  had 
as  yet  been  sparingly  used  in  the  colony  of  Connecticut. 
A  threatening  and  dangerous  struggle  with  the  Dutch, 


TTbe  Wept  of  WisMTon^Wisb  n 

in  the  adjoining  province  of  New  Netherlands,  had  been 
averted  by  the  foresight  and  moderation  of  the  rulers  of  the 
new  plantations  ;  and  though  a  warlike  and  powerful  native 
chief  kept  the  neighboring  colonies  of  Massachusetts  and 
Rhode  Island  in  a  state  of  constant  watchfulness,  from  the 
cause  just  mentioned  the  apprehension  of  danger  was 
greatly  weakened  in  the  breasts  of  those  so  remote  as  the 
individuals  who  composed  the  family  of  our  emigrant. 

In  this  quiet  manner  did  years  glide  by,  the  surrounding 
wilderness  slowly  retreating  from  the  habitations  of  the 
Heathcotes,  until  they  found  themselves  in  possession  of  as 
many  of  the  comforts  of  life  as  their  utter  seclusion  from  the 
rest  of  the  world  could  give  them  reason  to  expect. 

With  this  preliminary  explanation  we  shall  refer  the 
reader  to  the  succeeding  narrative  for  a  more  minute,  and  we 
hope  for  a  more  interesting  account  of  the  incidents  of  a 
legend  that  may  prove  too  homely  for  the  tastes  of  those 
whose  imaginations  seek  the  excitement  of  scenes  more 
stirring,  or  of  a  condition  of  life  less  natural. 


CHAPTER  II. 

"  Sir,  I  do  know  you ; 
And  dare,  upon  the  warrant  of  my  art, 
Commend  a  dear  thing  to  you." 

King  Lear. 

AT  the  precise  time  when  the  action  of  our  piece 
commences,  a  fine  and  fruitful  season  was  draw- 
ing to  a  close.  The  harvests  of  hay  and  of  the 
smaller  corns  had  long  been  over,  and  the  younger 
Heathcote,  with  his  laborers,  had  passed  a  day  in  depriving 
the  luxuriant  maize  of  its  tops,  in  order  to  secure  the  nutri- 
tious blades  for  fodder,  and  to  admit  the  sun  and  air  to 
harden  a  grain  that  is  almost  considered  the  staple  production 
of  the  region  he  inhabited.  The  veteran  Mark  had  ridden 
among  the  workmen  during  their  light  toil,  as  well  to  enjoy 
a  sight  which  promised  abundance  to  his  flocks  and  herds, 
as  to  throw  in,  on  occasion,  some  wholesome  spiritual  pre- 
cept, in  which  doctrinal  subtlety  was  far  more  prominent 
than  the  rules  of  practice.  The  hirelings  of  his  son,  for  he 
had  long  since  yielded  the  management  of  the  estate  to 
Content,  were,  without  an  exception,  young  men  born  in  the 
country,  and  long  use  and  much  training  had  accustomed 
them  to  a  blending  of  religious  exercises  with  most  of  the 
employments  of  life.  They  listened,  therefore,  with  respect, 
nor  did  an  impious  smile  or  an  impatient  glance  escape  the 
lightest-minded  of  their  number  during  his  exhortations, 
though  the  homilies  of  the  old  man  were  neither  very  brief 
nor  particularly  original.  But  devotion  to  the  one  great 
cause  of  their  existence,  austere  habits,  and  unrelaxed 
industry  in  keeping  alive  a  flame  of  zeal  that  had  been 


ZTbe  "adept  of  Mfsb*Uon*Mf5b  u 

kindled  in  the  other  hemisphere,  to  burn  longest  and 
brightest  in  this,  had  interwoven  the  practice  mentioned  with 
most  of  the  opinions  and  pleasures  of  these  metaphysical 
though  simple-minded  people.  The  toil  went  on  none  the 
less  cheerily  for  the  extraordinary  accompaniment,  and 
Content  himself,  by  a  certain  glimmering  of  superstition, 
which  appears  to  be  the  concomitant  of  excessive  religious 
zeal,  was  fain  to  think  that  the  sun  shone  more  brightly  on 
their  labors,  and  that  the  earth  gave  forth  more  of  its  fruits 
while  these  holy  sentiments  were  flowing  from  the  lips  of  a 
father  whom  he  piously  loved  and  deeply  reverenced. 

But  when  the  sun,  usually  at  that  season,  in  the  climate 
of  Connecticut,  a  bright,  unshrouded  orb,  fell  towards  the 
tree- tops  which  bounded  the  western  horizon,  the  old  man 
began  to  grow  weary  with  his  own  well-doing.  He  there- 
fore finished  his  discourse  with  a  wholesome  admonition  to 
the  youths  to  complete  their  tasks  before  they  quitted  the 
field ;  and,  turning  the  head  of  his  horse,  he  rode  slowly, 
and  with  a  musing  air,  towards  the  dwellings.  It  is  proba- 
ble that  for  some  time  the  thoughts  of  Mark  were  occupied 
with  the  intellectual  matter  he  had  just  been  handling  with 
so  much  power ;  but  when  his  little  nag  stopped  of  itself 
on  a  small  eminence,  which  the  crooked  cow-path  he  was 
following  crossed,  his  mind  yielded  to  the  impression  of 
more  worldly  and  more  sensible  objects.  As  the  scene  that 
drew  his  contemplations  from  so  many  abstract  theories  to 
the  realities  of  life  was  peculiar  to  the  country,  and  is  more 
or  less  connected  with  the  subject  of  our  tale,  we  shall 
endeavor  briefly  to  describe  it. 

A  small  tributary  of  the  Connecticut  divided  the  view 
into  two  nearly  equal  parts.  The  fertile  flats  that  extended 
on  each  of  its  banks  for  more  than  a  mile  had  been  early 
stripped  of  their  burden  of  forest,  and  they  now  lay  in 
placid  meadows,  or  in  fields  from  which  the  grain  of  the 
season  had  lately  disappeared,  and  over  which  the  plough 
had  already  left  the  marks  of  recent  tillage.  The  whole 
of  the  plain,  which  ascended  gently  from  the  rivulet  tow- 
ards the  forest,  was  subdivided  into  inclosures  by  number- 
less fences,  constructed  in  the  rude  but  substantial  manner 


14  ftbe  TKHept  of 


of  the  country.  Rails,  in  which  lightness  and  economy  of 
wood  had  been  but  little  consulted,  lying  in  zig-zag  lines, 
like  the  approaches  which  the  besieger  makes  in  his  cau- 
tious advance  to  the  hostile  fortress,  were  piled  on  each 
other,  until  barriers  seven  or  eight  feet  in  height  were  in- 
terposed to  the  inroads  of  vicious  cattle.  In  one  spot, 
a  large  square  vacancy  had  been  cut  into  the  forest,  and 
though  numberless  stumps  of  trees  darkened  its  surface,  as 
indeed  they  did  many  of  the  fields  on  the  flats  themselves, 
bright  green  grain  was  sprouting  forth  luxuriantly  from 
the  rich  and  virgin  soil.  High  against  the  side  of  an 
adjacent  hill,  that  might  aspire  to  be  called  a  low  rocky 
mountain,  a  similar  invasion  had  been  made  on  the  domain  of 
the  trees  ;  but  caprice  or  convenience  had  induced  an  aban- 
donment of  the  clearing,  after  it  had  ill  requited  the  toil  of 
felling  the  timber  by  a  single  crop.  In  this  spot,  strag- 
gling, girdled,  and  consequently  dead  trees,  piles  of  logs,  and 
black  and  charred  stumps  were  seen,  deforming  the  beauty 
of  a  field  that  would  otherwise  have  been  striking  from  its 
deep  setting  in  the  woods.  Much  of  the  surface  of  this 
opening,  too,  was  now  concealed  by  bushes,  of  what  is 
termed  the  second  growth,  though  here  and  there  places 
appeared,  in  which  the  luxuriant  white  clover,  natural  to 
the  country,  had  followed  the  close  grazing  of  the  flocks. 
The  eyes  of  Mark  were  bent  inquiringly  on  this  clearing, 
which  by  an  air  line  might  have  been  half  a  mile  from  the 
place  where  his  horse  had  stopped,  for  the  sounds  of  a 
dozen  differently  toned  cow-bells  were  brought  on  the  still 
air  of  the  evening  to  his  ears,  from  among  its  bushes. 

The  evidences  of  civilization  were  the  least  equivocal, 
however,  on  and  around  a  natural  elevation  in  the  land, 
which  rose  so  suddenly  on  the  very  bank  of  the  stream  as 
to  give  to  it  the  appearance  of  a  work  of  art.  Whether 
these  mounds  once  existed  everywhere  on  the  face  of  the 
earth,  and  have  disappeared  before  long  tillage  and  labor, 
we  shall  not  presume  to  conjecture  ;  but  we  have  reason  to 
think  that  they  occur  much  more  frequently  in  certain  parts 
of  our  own  country  than  in  any  other  familiarly  known  to 
ordinary  travellers,  unless,  perhaps,  it  may  be  in  some  of  the 


ttbe  Mept  of  Mteb*tton*Mteb  15 

valleys  of  Switzerland.  The  practised  veteran  had  chosen 
the  summit  of  this  flattened  cone  for  the  establishment  of 
that  species  of  military  defence  which  the  situation  of  the 
country,  and  the  character  of  the  enemy  he  had  to  guard 
against,  rendered  advisable,  as  well  as  customary. 

The  dwelling  was  of  wood,  and  constructed  of  the  ordi- 
nary frame- work,  with  its  thin  covering  of  boards.  It  was 
long,  low,  and  irregular,  bearing  marks  of  having  been 
reared  at  different  periods,  as  the  wants  of  an  increasing 
family  had  required  additional  accommodation.  It  stood 
near  the  verge  of  the  natural  declivity,  and  on  that  side  of 
the  hill  where  its  base  was  washed  by  the  rivulet,  a  rude 
piazza  stretching  along  the  whole  of  its  front,  and  over- 
hanging the  stream.  Several  large,  irregular  and  clumsy 
chimneys  rose  out  of  different  parts  of  the  roofs,  another 
proof  that  comfort  rather  than  taste  had  been  consulted  in 
the  disposition  of  the  buildings.  There  were  also  two  or 
three  detached  offices  on  the  summit  of  the  hill,  placed  near 
the  dwellings,  and  at  points  most  convenient  for  their  sev- 
eral uses.  A  stranger  might  have  remarked  that  they  were 
so  disposed  as  to  form,  as  far  as  they  went,  the  different 
sides  of  a  hollow  square.  Notwithstanding  the  great  length 
of  the  principal  building,  and  the  disposition  of  the  more 
minute  and  detached  parts,  this  desirable  formation  would 
not,  however,  have  been  obtained,  if  it  were  not  that  two 
rows  of  rude  constructions  in  logs,  from  which  the  bark  had 
not  even  been  stripped,  served  to  eke  out  the  parts  that 
had  been  deficient.  These  primeval  edifices  were  used  to 
contain  various  domestic  articles,  no  less  than  provisions ; 
and  they  also  furnished  numerous  lodging-rooms  for  the 
laborers  and  the  inferior  dependants  of  the  farm.  By  the 
aid  of  a  few  strong  and  high  gates  of  hewn  timber,  those 
parts  of  the  building  which  had  not  been  made  to  unite  in 
the  original  construction  were  sufficiently  connected  to  op- 
pose so  many  barriers  against  admission  into  the  inner  court. 

But  the  building  which  was  most  conspicuous  by  its 
position,  no  less  than  by  the  singularity  of  its  construction, 
stood  on  a  low,  artificial  mound,  in  the  centre  of  the  quad- 
rangle. It  was  high,  hexagonal  in  shape,  and  crowned 


16  Ube  Mept  of 


with  a  roof  that  came  to  a  point,  and  from  whose  peak 
rose  a  towering  flagstaff.  The  foundation  was  of  stone  ; 
but,  at  the  height  of  a  man  above  the  earth,  the  sides  were 
made  of  massive,  squared  logs  firmly  united  by  an  ingen- 
ious combination  of  their  ends,  as  well  as  by  perpendicular 
supporters  pinned  closely  into  their  sides.  In  this  citadel, 
or  block-house,  as  from  its  materials  it  was  technically  called, 
there  were  two  different  tiers  of  long,  narrow  loop-holes,  but 
no  regular  windows.  The  rays  of  the  setting  sun,  however, 
glittering  on  one  or  two  small  openings  in  the  roof,  in 
which  glass  had  been  set,  furnished  evidence  that  the  sum- 
mit of  the  building  was  sometimes  used  for  other  purposes 
than  those  of  defence. 

About  half-way  up  the  sides  of  the  eminence  on  which 
the  building  stood,  was  an  unbroken  line  of  high  palisadoes, 
made  of  the  bodies  of  young  trees,  firmly  knitted  together 
by  braces  and  horizontal  pieces  of  timber,  and  evidently 
kept  in  a  state  of  jealous  and  complete  repair.  The  air  of 
the  whole  of  this  frontier  fortress  was  neat  and  comfortable, 
and,  considering  that  the  use  of  artillery  was  unknown  to 
those  forests,  not  unmilitary. 

At  no  great  distance  from  the  base  of  the  hill,  stood  the 
barns  and  the  stables.  They  were  surrounded  by  a  vast 
range  of  rude  but  warm  sheds,  beneath  which  sheep  and 
horned  cattle  were  usually  sheltered  from  the  storms  of  the 
rigorous  winters  of  the  climate.  The  surfaces  of  the  mead- 
ows immediately  around  the  outbuildings,  were  of  a 
smoother  and  richer  sward  than  those  in  the  distance,  and 
the  fences  were  on  a  far  more  artificial,  and  perhaps  dura- 
ble, though  scarcely  on  a  more  serviceable  plan.  A  large 
orchard  of  some  ten  or  fifteen  years'  growth,  too,  added 
greatly  to  the  air  of  improvement  which  put  this  smiling 
valley  in  such  strong  and  pleasing  contrast  to  the  endless 
and  nearly  untenanted  woods  by  which  it  was  environed. 

Of  the  interminable  forest,  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak. 
With  the  solitary  exception  on  the  mountain-side,  and  of 
here  and  there  a  wind-row,  along  which  the  trees  had  been 
uprooted  by  the  furious  blasts  which  sometimes  sweep  off 
acres  of  our  trees  in  a  minute,  the  eye  could  find  no  other 


Ube  Timept  of  Mfsb^orWEXliteb  17 

object  to  study  in  the  vast  setting  of  this  quiet  rural  picture, 
but  the  seemingly  endless  maze  of  wilderness.  The  broken 
surface  of  the  land,  however,  limited  the  view  to  an  horizon 
of  no  great  extent,  though  the  art  of  man  could  scarcely  de- 
vise colors  so  vivid  or  so  gay  as  those  which  were  afforded 
by  the  brilliant  hues  of  the  foliage.  The  keen,  biting  frosts, 
known  at  the  close  of  a  New  England  autumn,  had  already 
touched  the  broad  and  fringed  leaves  of  the  maples,  and  the 
sudden  and  secret  process  had  been  wrought  upon  all  the 
other  varieties  of  the  forest,  producing  that  magical  effect 
which  can  be  nowhere  seen  except  in  regions  in  which  na- 
ture is  so  bountiful  and  luxuriant  in  summer,  and  so  sudden 
and  so  stern  in  the  change  of  the  seasons. 

Over  this  picture  of  prosperity  and  peace,  the  eye  of  old 
Mark  Heathcote  wandered  with  a  keen  degree  of  worldly 
prudence.  The  melancholy  sounds  of  the  various  toned 
bells,  ringing  hollow  and  plaintively  among  the  arches  of 
the  woods,  gave  him  reason  to  believe  that  the  herds  of  the 
family  were  returning  voluntarily  from  their  unlimited  forest 
pasturage.  His  grandson,  a  fine,  spirited  boy  of  some  four- 
teen years,  was  approaching  through  the  fields.  The  young- 
ster drove  before  him  a  small  flock,  which  domestic  necessity 
compelled  the  family  to  keep  at  great  occasional  loss,  and  a 
heavy  expense  of  time  and  trouble ;  both  of  which  could 
alone  protect  them  from  the  ravages  of  the  beasts  of  prey. 
A  species  of  half-witted  serving-lad,  whom  charity  had 
induced  the  old  man  to  harbor  among  his  dependants,  was 
seen  issuing  from  the  woods,  nearly  in  a  line  with  the 
neglected  clearing  on  the  mountain-side.  The  latter 
advanced,  shouting  and  urging  before  him  a  drove  of 
colts,  as  shaggy,  as  wayward,  and  nearly  as  untamed  as 
himself. 

"How  now,  weak-one,"  said  the  Puritan,  with  a  severe 
eye,  as  the  two  lads  approached  him  with  their  several 
charges  from  different  directions,  and  nearly  at  the  same 
instant ;  ' ( how  now,  sirrah  !  dost  worry  the  cattle  in  this 
gait  when  the  eyes  of  the  prudent  are  turned  from  thee  ? 
Do  as  thou  wouldst  be  done  by,  is  a  just  and  healthful 
admonition,  that  the  learned  and  the  simple,  the  weak  and 


is  ttbe  Mept  of 


the  strong  of  niind,  should  alike  recall  to  their  thoughts  and 
their  practice.  I  do  not  know  that  an  over-driven  colt  will 
be  at  all  more  apt  to  make  a  gentle  and  useful  beast  in  its 
prime,  than  one  treated  with  kindness  and  care.  '  ' 

1  '  I  believe  the  evil  one  has  got  into  all  the  kine,  no  less 
than  into  the  foals,  '  '  sullenly  returned  the  lad  ;  '  '  I  '  ve  called 
to  them  in  anger,  and  I  've  spoken  to  them  as  if  they  had 
been  my  natural  kin,  and  yet  neither  fair  word  nor  foul 
tongue  will  bring  them  to  hearken  to  advice.  There  is 
something  frightful  in  the  woods  this  very  sun-down,  mas- 
ter ;  or  colts  that  I  have  driven  the  summer  through  would 
not  be  apt  to  give  this  unfair  treatment  to  one  they  ought  to 
know  to  be  their  friend.  '  ' 

"Thy  sheep  are  counted,  Mark?"  resumed  the  grand- 
father, turning  towards  his  descendant  with  a  less  austere, 
but  always  an  authoritative  brow  ;  '  '  thy  mother  hath  need 
of  every  fleece  to  provide  covering  for  thee  and  others  like 
thee  ;  thou  knowest,  child,  that  the  creatures  are  few,  and 
our  winters  weary  and  cold.  '  ' 

"  My  mother's  loom  shall  never  be  idle  from  carelessness 
of  mine,"  returned  the  confident  boy  ;  "but  counting  and 
wishing  cannot  make  seven-and-thirty  fleeces  where  there 
are  only  six-and-thirty  backs  to  carry  them.  I  have  been 
an  hour  among  the  briers  and  bushes  of  the  hill  logging, 
looking  for  the  lost  wether,  and  yet  neither  lock,  hoof,  hide, 
nor  horn,  is  there  to  say  what  hath  befallen  the  animal." 

'  *  Thou  hast  lost  a  sheep  !  this  carelessness  will  cause  thy 
mother  to  grieve.  '  ' 

"  Grandfather,  I  have  been  no  idler.  Since  the  last  hunt, 
the  flock  hath  been  allowed  to  browse  the  woods  ;  for  no 
man,  in  all  that  week,  saw  wolf,  panther,  or  bear,  though 
the  country  was  up,  from  the  great  river  to  the  outer  settle- 
ments of  the  colony.  The  biggest  four-footed  animal  that 
lost  its  hide  in  the  muster  was  a  thin-ribbed  deer  ;  and  the 
stoutest  battle  given  was  between  wild  Whittal  Ring,  here, 
and  a  woodchuck  that  kept  him  at  arm's-length  for  the 
better  part  of  an  afternoon." 

'  '  Thy  tale  may  be  true,  but  it  neither  finds  that  which  is 
lost,  nor  completeth  the  number  of  thy  mother's  flock. 


TTbe  Wept  of  Misfo^Uon^KHteb  19 

Hast  thou  ridden  carefully  throughout  the  clearing  ?  It  is 
not  long  since  I  saw  the  animals  grazing  in  that  quarter. 
What  hast  thou  twisting  in  thy  fingers,  in  that  wasteful  and 
unthankful  manner,  Whittal  ?  ' ' 

* '  What  would  make  a  winter  blanket,  if  there  was  enough 
of  it — wool ;  and  wool,  too,  that  came  from  the  thigh  of  old 
Straight-Horns ;  else  have  I  forgotten  a  leg  that  gives  the 
longest  and  coarsest  hair  at  the  shearing." 

'  *  That  truly  seemeth  a  lock  from  the  animal  that  is  want- 
ing, ' '  exclaimed  the  other  boy.  ' '  There  is  no  other  creature 
in  the  flock  with  fleece  so  coarse  and  shaggy.  Where  found 
you  the  handful,  Whittal  Ring  ? ' ' 

"  Growing  an  the  branch  of  a  thorn.  Queer  fruit  this, 
masters,  to  be  seen  where  young  plums  ought  to  ripen  ! ' ' 

' '  Go,  go, ' '  interrupted  the  old  man  ;  ' '  thou  idlest,  and 
misspendest  the  time  in  vain  talk.  Go,  fold  thy  flock,  Mark  ; 
and  do  thou,  weak-one,  house  thy  charge  with  less  uproar 
than  is  wont.  We  should  remember  that  the  voice  is  given 
to  man,  firstly,  that  he  may  improve  the  blessing  in  thanks- 
givings and  petitions  ;  secondly,  to  communicate  such  gifts 
as  may  be  imparted  to  himself,  and  which  it  is  his  bounden 
duty  to  attempt  to  impart  to  others  ;  and  then,  thirdly,  to 
declare  his  natural  wants  and  inclinations." 

With  this  admonition,  which  probably  proceeded  from  a 
secret  consciousness  in  the  Puritan  that  he  had  permitted  a 
momentary  cloud  of  selfishness  to  obscure  the  brightness  of 
his  faith,  the  party  separated.  The  grandson  and  the  hireling 
took  their  several  ways  to  the  folds,  while  old  Mark  himself 
slowly  continued  his  course  towards  the  dwellings.  It  was 
near  enough  to  the  hours  of  darkness,  to  render  the  prepara- 
tions we  have  mentioned  prudent  ;  still,  no  urgency  called 
for  particular  haste  in  the  return  of  the  veteran  to  the  shelter 
and  protection  of  his  own  comfortable  and  secure  abode. 
He  therefore  loitered  along  the  path,  occasionally  stopping 
to  look  into  the  prospects  of  the  young  crops  that  were  be- 
ginning to  spring  up  in  readiness  for  the  coming  year,  and 
at  times  bending  his  gaze  around  the  whole  of  his  limited 
horizon,  like  one  who  had  the  habit  of  exceeding  and  unre- 
mitted  care. 


20  ITbe  IKHept  of 


One  of  these  numerous  pauses  promised  to  be  much  longer 
than  usual.  Instead  of  keeping  his  understanding  eye  on 
the  grain,  the  look  of  the  old  man  appeared  fastened,  as  by 
a  charm,  on  some  distant  and  obscure  object.  Doubt  and 
uncertainty,  for  many  minutes,  seemed  to  mingle  in  his  gaze. 
But  all  hesitation  had  apparently  disappeared,  as  his  lips 
severed,  and  he  spoke,  perhaps  unconsciously  to  himself, 
aloud. 

"  It  is  no  deception,"  were  the  low  words,  "  but  a  living 
and  an  accountable  creature  of  the  L,ord's.  Many  a  day  has 
passed  since  such  a  sight  hath  been  witnessed  in  this  vale  ; 
but  my  eye  greatly  deceives  me,  or  yonder  cometh  one  ready 
to  ask  for  hospitality,  and,  peradventure,  for  Christian  and 
brotherly  communion." 

The  sight  of  the  aged  emigrant  had  not  deceived  him. 
One  who  appeared  a  wayworn  and  weary  traveller  had 
indeed  ridden  out  of  the  forest,  at  a  point  where  a  path,  that 
was  easier  to  be  traced  by  the  blazed  trees  that  lay  along  its 
route,  than  by  any  marks  on  the  earth  itself,  issued  into  the 
cleared  land.  The  progress  of  the  stranger  had  at  first  been 
so  wary  and  slow  as  to  bear  the  manner  of  exceeding  and 
mysterious  caution.  The  blind  road  along  which  he  must 
have  ridden  not  only  far  but  hard,  or  night  had  certainly 
overtaken  him  in  the  woods,  led  to  one  of  the  distant  settle- 
ments that  lay  near  to  the  fertile  banks  of  the  Connecticut. 
Few  ever  followed  its  windings  but  they  who  had  especial 
affairs,  or  extraordinary  communion,  in  the  way  of  religious 
friendships,  with  the  proprietors  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish,  as, 
in  commemoration  of  the  first  bird  that  had  been  seen  by  the 
emigrants,  the  valley  of  the  Heathcotes  was  called. 

Once  fairly  in  view,  any  doubt  or  apprehension  that  the 
stranger  might  at  first  have  entertained,  disappeared.  He 
rode  boldly  and  steadily  forward,  until  he  drew  a  rein  that 
his  impoverished  and  weary  beast  gladly  obeyed,  within  a 
few  feet  of  the  proprietor  of  the  valley,  whose  gaze  had  never 
ceased  to  watch  his  movements,  from  the  instant  when  the 
other  first  came  within  view.  Before  speaking,  the  stranger, 
a  man  whose  head  was  getting  gray,  apparently  as  much 
with  hardship  as  with  time,  and  one  whose  great  weight 


Ube  Mept  of  Misb^on^Wisb  21 

would  have  proved  a  grievous  burden,  in  a  long  ride,  to  even 
a  better-conditioned  beast  than  the  ill-favored  provincial 
hack  he  had  ridden,  dismounted,  and  threw  the  bridle  loose 
upon  the  drooping  neck  of  the  animal.  The  latter,  without 
a  moment's  delay,  and  with  a  greediness  that  denoted  long 
abstinence,  profited  by  its  liberty,  to  crop  the  herbage  where 
it  stood. 

"I  cannot  be  mistaken,  when  I  suppose  that  I  have  at 
length  reached  the  valley  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish,"  the 
visitor  said,  touching  a  soiled  and  slouched  beaver  that  more 
than  half  concealed  his  features.  The  question  was  put  in 
an  English  that  bespoke  a  descent  from  those  who  dwell  in 
the  midland  counties  of  the  mother  country,  rather  than  in 
that  intonation  which  is  still  to  be  traced,  equally  in  the 
western  portions  of  England  and  in  the  eastern  States  of  the 
Union.  Notwithstanding  the  purity  of  his  accent,  there  was 
enough  in  the  form  of  his  speech  to  denote  a  severe  compli- 
ance with  the  fashion  of  the  religionists  of  the  times.  He 
used  that  measured  and  methodical  tone  which  was,  singu- 
larly enough,  believed  to  distinguish  an  entire  absence  of 
affectation  in  language. 

"  Thou  hast  reached  the  dwelling  of  him  thou  seekest ;  one 
who  is  a  submissive  sojourner  in  the  wilderness  of  the  world, 
and  an  humble  servitor  in  the  outer  temple." 

' '  This  then  is  Mark  Heathcote  ! ' '  repeated  the  stranger 
in  tones  of  interest,  regarding  the  other  with  a  look  of  long, 
and,  possibly,  of  suspicious  investigation. 

' '  Such  is  the  name  I  bear.  A  fitting  confidence  in  Him 
who  knows  so  well  how  to  change  the  wilds  into  the  haunts 
of  men,  and  much  suffering,  have  made  me  the  master  of 
what  thou  seest.  Whether  thou  comest  to  tarry  a  night,  a 
week,  a  month,  or  even  for  a  still  longer  season,  as  a  brother 
in  care,  and  I  doubt  not  one  who  striveth  for  the  right,  I  bid 
thee  welcome." 

The  stranger  thanked  his  host  by  a  slow  inclination  of 
the  head  ;  but  the  gaze,  which  began  to  partake  a  little  of 
the  look  of  recognition,  was  still  too  earnest  and  engrossing 
to  admit  of  verbal  reply.  On  the  other  hand,  though  the  old 
man  had  scanned  the  broad  and  rusty  beaver,  the  coarse  and 


22  Ube  Mept  of 


well-worn  doublet,  the  heavy  boots,  and,  in  short,  the  whole 
attire  of  his  visitor,  in  which  he  saw  no  vain  conformity  to 
idle  fashions  to  condemn,  it  was  evident  that  personal  recol- 
lection had  not  the  smallest  influence  in  quickening  his  hos- 
pitality. 

"  Thou  hast  arrived  happily,"  continued  the  Puritan  ; 
'  ' had  night  overtaken  thee  in  the  forest,  unless  much  prac- 
tised in  the  shifts  of  our  young  woodsmen,  hunger,  frost,  and 
a  supperless  bed  of  brush  would  have  given  thee  motive  to 
think  more  of  the  body  than  is  either  profitable  or  seemly. ' ' 

The  stranger  might  possibly  have  known  the  embarrass- 
ment of  these  several  hardships  ;  for  the  quick  and  uncon- 
scious glance  he  threw  over  his  soiled  dress  should  have 
betrayed  some  familiarity,  already,  with  the  privations  to 
which  his  host  alluded.  As  neither  of  them,  however, 
seemed  disposed  to  waste  further  time  on  matters  of  such 
light  moment,  the  traveller  put  an  arm  through  the  bridle 
of  his  horse,  and,  in  obedience  to  an  invitation  from  th? 
owner  of  the  dwelling,  they  took  their  way  towards  the  for* 
tified  edifice  on  the  natural  mound. 

The  task  of  furnishing  litter  and  provender  to  the  jaded 
beast  was  performed  by  Whittal  Ring,  under  the  inspection, 
and  at  times  under  the  instructions,  of  its  owner  and  his 
host,  both  of  whom  appeared  to  take  a  kind  and  commend- 
able interest  in  the  comfort  of  a  faithful  hack,  that  had  evi- 
dently suffered  long  and  much  in  the  service  of  its  master. 
When  this  duty  was  discharged,  the  old  man  and  his 
unknown  guest  entered  the  house  together ;  the  frank  and 
unpretending  hospitality  of  a  country  like  that  they  were  in, 
rendering  suspicion  or  hesitation  qualities  that  were  unknown 
to  the  reception  of  a  man  of  white  blood ;  more  especially  if 
he  spoke  the  language  of  the  island  which  was  then  first 
sending  out  its  swarms  to  subdue  and  possess  so  large  a  por- 
tion of  a  continent  that  nearly  divides  the  earth  in  moieties. 


CHAPTER  III. 

"  This  is  most  strange  ;  your  father  's  in  some  passion 
That  works  him  strongly." 

Tempest. 

A  FEW  hours  made  a  great  change  in  the  occupa- 
tions of  the  different  members  of  our  simple  and 
secluded  family.  The  kine  had  yielded  their 
nightly  tribute  ;  the  oxen  had  been  released  from 
the  yoke,  and  were  now  secure  beneath  their  sheds ;  the 
sheep  were  in  their  folds,  safe  from  the  assaults  of  the  prowl- 
ing wolf ;  and  care  had  been  taken  to  see  that  everything 
possessing  life  was  gathered  within  the  particular  defences 
that  were  provided  for  its  security  and  comfort.  But  while 
all  this  caution  was  used  in  behalf  of  living  things,  the 
utmost  indifference  prevailed  on  the  subject  of  that  species 
of  movable  property  which  elsewhere  would  have  been 
guarded  with  at  least  an  equal  j  ealousy .  The  homely  fabrics 
of  the  looms  of  Ruth  lay  on  their  bleaching- ground,  to  drink 
in  the  night-dew  ;  and  ploughs,  harrows,  carts,  saddles,  and 
other  similar  articles  were  left  in  situations  so  exposed  as  to 
prove  that  the  hand  of  man  had  occupations  so  numerous 
and  so  urgent  as  to  render  it  inconvenient  to  bestow  labor 
where  it  was  not  considered  absolutely  necessary. 

Content  himself  was  the  last  to  quit  the  fields  and  the  out- 
buildings. When  he  reached  the  postern  in  the  palisadoes, 
he  stopped  to  call  to  those  above  him,  in  order  to  learn  if 
any  yet  lingered  without  the  wooden  barriers.  The  answer 
being  in  the  negative,  he  entered,  and  drawing-to  the  small 
but  heavy  gate,  he  secured  it  with  bar,  bolt,  and  lock, 
carefully  and  jealously,  with  his  own  hand.  As  this  was  no 


24  Ube  Wept  of 


more  than  a  nightly  and  necessary  precaution,  the  affairs  of 
the  family  received  no  interruption.  The  meal  of  the  hour 
was  soon  ended  ;  and  conversation,  with  those  light  toils 
which  are  peculiar  to  the  long  evenings  of  the  fall  and 
winter,  in  families  on  the  frontier,  succeeded  as  fitting  em- 
ployments to  close  the  business  of  a  laborious  and  well- 
spent  day. 

Notwithtanding  the  entire  simplicity  which  marked  the 
opinions  and  usages  of  the  colonists  at  that  period,  and  the 
great  equality  of  condition  which  even  to  this  hour  distin- 
guishes the  particular  community  of  which  we  write,  choice 
and  inclination  drew  some  natural  distinctions  in  the  ordi- 
nary intercourse  of  the  inmates  of  the  Heathcote  family.  A 
fire  so  bright  and  cheerful  blazed  on  an  enormous  hearth  in 
a  sort  of  upper  kitchen,  as  to  render  candles  or  torches  un- 
necessary. Around  it  were  seated  six  or  seven  hardy  and 
athletic  young  men,  some  drawing  coarse  tools  carefully 
through  the  curvatures  of  ox-bows,  others  scraping  dowi? 
the  helves  of  axes,  or  perhaps  fashioning  sticks  of  birch 
into  homely  but  convenient  brooms.  A  demure,  side-look- 
ing young  woman  kept  her  great  wheel  in  motion,  while 
one  or  two  others  were  passing  from  room  to  room  with  the 
notable  and  stirring  industry  of  handmaidens  busied  in  the 
more  familiar  cares  of  the  household.  A  door  communicated 
with  an  inner  and  superior  apartment.  Here  was  a  smaller 
but  an  equally  cheerful  fire  ;  a  floor  which  had  recently  been 
swept,  while  that  without  had  been  freshly  sprinkled  with 
river  sand  ;  candles  of  tallow,  on  a  table  of  cherry-wood 
from  the  neighboring  forest  ;  walls  that  were  wainscoted  in 
the  black  oak  of  the  country,  and  a  few  other  articles  of 
a  fashion  so  unique,  and  of  ornaments  so  ingenious  and  rich, 
as  to  announce  that  they  had  been  transported  from  beyond 
sea.  Above  the  mantel  were  suspended  the  armorial  bear- 
ings of  the  Heathcotes  and  the  Hardings,  elaborately  em- 
blazoned in  tent-stitch. 

The  principal  personages  of  the  family  were  seated  around 
the  latter  hearth,  while  a  straggler  from  the  other  room,  of 
more  than  usual  curiosity,  had  placed  himself  among  them, 
marking  the  distinction  in  ranks,  or  rather  in  situation, 


TKftept  of  Mteb*aon*TOi0b  25 

merely  by  the  extraordinary  care  which  he  took  that  none  of 
the  scrapings  should  litter  the  spotless  oaken  floor. 

Until  this  period  of  the  evening,  the  duties  of  hospitality 
and  the  observances  of  religion  had  prevented  familiar  dis- 
course. But  the  offices  of  the  housewife  were  now  ended 
for  the  night,  the  handmaidens  had  all  retired  to  their 
wheels,  and,  as  the  bustle  of  a  busy  and  more  stirring 
domestic  industry  ceased,  the  cold  and  self-restrained  silence 
which  had  hitherto  only  been  broken  by  distant  and  brief 
observations  of  courtesy,  or  by  some  wholesome  allusion  to 
the  lost  and  probationary  condition  of  man,  seemed  to  invite 
an  intercourse  of  a  more  general  quality. 

"  You  entered  my  clearing  by  the  southern  path,"  com- 
menced Mark  Heathcote,  addressing  himself  to  his  guest 
with  sufficient  courtesy,  ' '  and  needs  must  bring  tidings  from 
the  towns  on  the  river  side.  Has  aught  been  done  by  our 
councillors  at  home,  in  the  matter  that  pertaineth  so  closely 
to  the  well-being  of  this  colony  ?  ' ' 

"  You  would  have  me  say  whether  he  that  now  sitteth  on 
the  throne  of  England  hath  listened  to  the  petitions  of  his 
people  in  this  province,  and  hath  granted  them  protection 
against  the  abuses  which  might  so  readily  flow  out  of  his 
own  ill-advised  will,  or  out  of  the  violence  and  injustice  of 
his  successors  ? ' ' 

"  We  will  render  unto  Caesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's, 
and  speak  reverently  of  men  having  authority.  I  would 
fain  know  whether  the  agent  sent  by  our  people  hath  gained 
the  ears  of  those  who  counsel  the  prince,  and  obtained  that 
which  he  sought  ?  ' ' 

"He  hath  done  more,"  returned  the  stranger,  with  singu- 
lar asperity  ;  "he  hath  even  gained  the  ear  of  the  Lord's 
anointed." 

"  Then  is  Charles  of  better  mind  and  of  stronger  justice 
than  report  hath  spoken.  We  were  told  that  light  manners 
and  unprofitable  companions  had  led  him  to  think  more  of 
the  vanities  of  the  world  and  less  of  the  wants  of  those 
over  whom  he  hath  been  called  by  Providence  to  rule,  than 
is  meet  for  one  that  sitteth  on  a  high  place.  I  rejoice  that 
the  arguments  of  the  man  we  sent  have  prevailed  over 


26  Ube  Wept  of 


more  evil  promptings,  and  that  peace  and  freedom  of  con- 
science are  likely  to  be  the  fruits  of  the  undertaking.  In 
what  manner  hath  he  seen  fit  to  order  the  future  government 
of  this  people  ?" 

'  *  Much  as  it  hath  ever  stood  —  by  their  own  ordinances. 
Winthrop  hath  returned,  and  is  the  bearer  of  a  royal 
charter  which  granteth  all  the  rights  long  claimed  and  prac- 
tised. None  now  dwell  under  the  crown  of  Britain  with 
fewer  offensive  demands  on  their  consciences,  or  with  lighter 
calls  on  their  political  duties,  than  the  men  of  Connecticut.  '  ' 

"It  is  fitting  that  thanks  should  be  rendered  therefor 
where  thanks  are  most  due,"  said  the  Puritan,  folding  his 
hands  on  his  bosom,  and  sitting  for  a  moment  with  closed 
eyes,  like  one  who  communed  with  an  unseen  being.  '  '  Is 
it  known  by  what  manner  of  argument  the  Lord  moved 
the  heart  of  the  prince  to  hearken  to  our  wants  ;  or  was  it 
an  open  and  manifest  token  of  his  power  ?  '  ' 

"I  think  it  must  needs  have  been  the  latter,"  rejoined 
the  visitor,  with  a  manner  that  grew  still  more  caustic  and 
emphatic.  '  '  The  bauble,  that  was  the  visible  agent,  could 
not  have  weighed  greatly  with  one  so  proudly  seated  before 
the  eyes  of  men." 

Until  this  point  in  the  discourse,  Content  and  Ruth,  with 
their  offspring,  and  the  two  or  three  other  individuals  who 
composed  the  audience,  had  listened  with  the  demure  grav- 
ity which  characterized  the  manners  of  the  country.  The 
language,  united  with  the  ill-concealed  sarcasm  conveyed  by 
the  countenance,  no  less  than  the  emphasis  of  the  speaker, 
caused  them  now  to  raise  their  eyes,  as  by  a  common  im- 
pulse. The  word  '  '  bauble  '  '  was  audibly  and  curiously 
repeated.  But  the  look  of  cold  irony  had  already  passed 
from  the  features  of  the  stranger,  and  it  had  given  place 
to  a  stern  and  fixed  austerity  that  imparted  a  character  of 
grimness  to  his  hard  and  sunburnt  visage.  Still  he  be- 
trayed no  disposition  to  shrink  from  the  subject  ;  but  after 
regarding  his  auditors  with  a  glance  in  which  pride  and 
suspicion  were  strongly  blended,  he  resumed  the  discourse. 

11  It  is  known,"  he  added,  "that  the  grandfather  of  him 
the  good  people  of  these  settlements  have  commissioned  to 


Udept  of  Misb*Uon*Mteb  27 

bear  their  wants  over  sea,  lived  in  the  favor  of  the  man 
who  last  sat  upon  the  throne  of  England ;  and  a  rumor 
goeth  forth,  that  the  Stuart,  in  a  moment  of  princely  con- 
descension, once  decked  the  finger  of  his  subject  with  a 
ring  wrought  in  a  curious  fashion.  It  was  a  token  of  the 
love  which  a  monarch  may  bear  a  man/' 

"  Such  gifts  are  beacons  of  friendship,  but  may  not  be 
used  as  gay  and  sinful  ornaments,"  observed  Mark,  while 
the  other  paused  like  one  who  wished  none  of  the  bitter- 
ness of  his  allusions  to  be  lost. 

"  It  matters  not  whether  the  bauble  lay  in  the  coffers  of 
the  Winthrops,  or  has  long  been  glittering  before  the  eyes 
of  the  faithful,  in  the  Bay,  since  in  hath  finally  proved  to 
be  a  jewel  of  price,"  continued  the  stranger.  "It  is  said 
in  secret  that  this  ring  hath  returned  to  the  finger  of  a 
Stuart,  and  it  is  openly  proclaimed  that  Connecticut  hath  a 
charter!" 

Content  and  his  wife  regarded  each  other  in  melancholy 
amazement.  Such  an  evidence  of  wanton  levity  and  of 
unworthiness  of  motive,  in  one  who  was  intrusted  with  the 
gift  of  earthly  government,  pained  their  simple  and  up- 
right minds,  while  old  Mark,  of  still  more  decided  and 
exaggerated  ideas  of  spiritual  perfection,  distinctly  groaned 
aloud.  The  stranger  took  a  sensible  pleasure  in  this  testi- 
mony of  their  abhorrence  of  so  gross  and  so  unworthy  a 
venality,  though  he  saw  no  occasion  to  heighten  its  effect 
by  further  speech.  When  his  host  stood  erect,  and  in  a 
voice  that  was  accustomed  to  obedience  called  on  his  family 
to  join,  in  behalf  of  the  reckless  ruler  of  the  land  of  their 
fathers,  in  a  petition  to  Him  who  alone  could  soften  the 
hearts  of  princes,  he  also  arose  from  his  seat.  But  even 
in  this  act  of  devotion,  the  stranger  bore  the  air  of  one 
who  wished  to  do  pleasure  to  his  entertainers,  rather  than 
to  obtain  that  which  was  asked. 

The  prayer,  though  short,  was  pointed,  fervent,  and 
sufficiently  personal.  The  wheels  in  the  outer  room 
ceased  their  hum,  and  a  general  movement  denoted  that 
all  there  had  arisen  to  join  in  the  office ;  while  one  or  two 
of  their  number,  impelled  by  deeper  piety  or  stronger  in- 


28  Ube  Mept  of 


terest,  drew  near  to  the  open  door  between  the  rooms,  in 
order  to  listen.  With  this  singular  but  characteristic  in- 
terruption, that  particular  branch  of  the  discourse  which 
had  given  rise  to  it  altogether  ceased. 

'  '  And  have  we  reason  to  dread  a  rising  of  the  savages 
on  the  borders  ?  '  '  asked  Content,  when  he  found  that  the 
moved  spirit  of  his  father  was  not  yet  sufficiently  calmed 
to  return  to  the  examination  of  temporal  things  ;  '  '  one 
who  brought  wares  from  the  towns  below,  a  few  months 
since,  recited  reasons  to  fear  a  movement  among  the  red- 
men." 

The  subject  had  not  sufficient  interest  to  open  the  ears 
of  the  stranger.  He  was  deaf,  or  he  chose  to  affect  deaf- 
ness, to  the  interrogatory.  Laying  his  two  large  and 
weather-worn,  though  still  muscular  hands,  on  a  visage 
that  was  much  darkened  by  exposure,  he  appeared  to  shut 
out  the  objects  of  the  world,  while  he  communed  deeply, 
and,  as  would  seem  by  a  slight  tremor,  that  shook  even  his 
powerful  frame,  terribly,  with  his  own  thoughts. 

"  We  have  many  to  whom  our  hearts  strongly  cling,  to 
heighten  the  smallest  symptom  of  alarm  from  that  quar- 
ter, '  '  added  the  tender  and  anxious  mother,  her  eye  glanc- 
ing at  the  uplifted  countenances  of  two  little  girls,  who, 
busied  with  their  light  needle-  work,  sat  on  stools  at  her 
feet.  "But  I  rejoice  to  see  that  one  who  hath  journeyed 
from  parts  where  the  minds  of  the  savages  must  be  better 
understood  hath  not  feared  to  do  it  unarmed." 

The  traveller  slowly  uncovered  his  features,  and  the 
glance  that  his  eye  shot  over  the  face  of  the  last  speaker 
was  not  without  a  gentle  and  interested  expression.  In- 
stantly recovering  his  composure,  he  arose,  and  turning  to 
the  double  leathern  sack,  which  had  been  borne  on  the 
crupper  of  his  nag,  and  which  now  lay'  at  no  great  distance 
from  his  seat,  he  drew  a  pair  of  horseman's  pistols  from 
two  well-contrived  pockets  in  its  sides,  and  laid  them 
deliberately  on  the  table. 

"  Though  little  disposed  to  seek  an  encounter  with  any 
bearing  the  image  of  man,"  he  said,  "  I  have  not  neglected 
the  usual  precautions  of  those  who  enter  the  wilderness. 


Wept  of  Mteb^otWTCliteb  29 

Here  are  weapons  that,  in  steady  hands,  might  easily  take 
life,  or,  at  need,  preserve  it." 

The  young  Mark  drew  near  with  boyish  curiosity,  and 
while  one  finger  ventured  to  touch  a  lock,  as  he  stole  a 
conscious  glance  of  wrong-doing  towards  his  mother,  he 
said,  with  as  much  of  contempt  in  his  air  as  the  schooling 
of  his  manners  would  allow, — 

1 '  An  Indian  arrow  would  make  a  surer  aim  than  a  bore 
as  short  as  this !  When  the  trainer  from  the  Hartford 
town  struck  the  wild-cat  on  the  hill  clearing,  he  sent  the 
bullet  from  a  five-foot  barrel ;  besides,  this  short-sighted 
gun  would  be  a  dull  weapon  in  a  hug  against  the  keen- 
edged  knife  that  the  wicked  Wampanoag  is  known  to 
carry. ' ' 

"  Boy,  thy  years  are  few,  and  thy  boldness  of  speech 
marvellous,"  sternly  interrupted  his  parent  in  the  second 
degree. 

The  stranger  manifested  no  displeasure  at  the  confident 
language  of  the  lad.  Encouraging  him  with  a  look,  which 
plainly  proclaimed  that  martial  qualities  in  no  degree  les- 
sened the  stripling  in  his  favor,  he  observed  that — 

' '  The  youth  who  is  not  afraid  to  think  of  the  fight,  or  to 
reason  on  its  chances,  will  lead  to  a  manhood  of  spirit  and 
independence.  A  hundred  thousand  striplings  like  this 
might  have  spared  Winthrop  his  jewel,  and  the  Stuart  the 
shame  of  yielding  to  so  vain  and  so  trivial  a  bribe.  But  thou 
mayst  also  see,  child,  that  had  we  come  to  the  death-hug,  the 
wicked  Wampanoag  might  have  found  a  blade  as  keen  as 
his  own." 

The  stranger,  while  speaking,  loosened  a  few  strings  of 
his  doublet,  and  thrust  a  hand  into  his  bosom.  The  action 
enabled  more  than  one  eye  to  catch  a  momentary  glimpse 
of  a  weapon  of  the  same  description,  but  of  a  size  much 
smaller  than  those  he  had  already  so  freely  exhibited.  As 
he  immediately  withdrew  the  member,  and  again  closed  the 
garment  with  studied  care,  no  one  presumed  to  advert 
to  the  circumstance,  but  all  turned  their  attention  to  the 
long,  sharp  hunting-knife  that  he  deposited  by  the  side  of 
the  pistols,  as  he  concluded.  Mark  ventured  to  open  its 


30  Ube  Wept  of 


blade,  but  he  turned  away  with  sudden  consciousness,  when 
he  found  that  a  few  fibres  of  coarse,  shaggy  wool,  that  were 
drawn  from  the  loosened  joint,  adhered  to  his  fingers. 

*  '  Straight-Horns  has  been  against  a  bush  sharper  than 
the  thorn!"  exclaimed  Whittal  Ring,  who  had  been  at 
hand,  and  who  watched  with  childish  admiration  the  small- 
est proceedings  of  the  different  individuals.  "A  steel  for 
the  back  of  the  blade,  a  few  dried  leaves  and  broken  sticks, 
with  such  a  carver,  would  soon  make  roast  and  broiled  of 
the  old  bell-wether  himself.  I  know  that  the  hair  of  all  my 
colts  is  sorrel,  and  I  counted  five  at  sundown,  which  is  just 
as  many  as  went  loping  through  the  underbrush  when  I 
loosened  them  from  the  hopples  in  the  morning  ;  but  six- 
and-thirty  backs  can  never  carry  seven-and-thirty  growing 
fleeces  of  unsheared  wool.  Master  knows  that,  for  he  is  a 
scholar  and  can  count  a  hundred  !  '  ' 

The  allusion  to  the  fate  of  the  lost  sheep  was  so  plain 
as  to  admit  of  no  misinterpretation  of  the  meaning  of  the 
witless  speaker.  Animals  of  that  class  were  of  the  last  im- 
portance to  the  comfort  of  the  settlers,  and  there  was  not 
probably  one  within  hearing  of  Whittal  Ring  that  was  at 
all  ignorant  of  the.  import  of  his  words.  Indeed,  the  loud 
chuckle,  and  the  open  and  deriding  manner  with  which  the 
lad  himself  held  above  his  head  the  hairy  fibres  that  he 
had  snatched  from  young  Mark,  allowed  of  no  concealment, 
had  it  been  desirable. 

"  This  feeble-gifted  youth  would  hint  that  thy  knife  hath 
proved  its  edge  on  a  wether  that  is  missing  from  our  flock, 
since  the  animals  went  on  their  mountain  range  in  the 
morning,"  said  the  host,  calmly  ;  though  even  he  bent  his 
eye  to  the  floor,  as  he  waited  for  an  answer  to  a  remark 
direct  as  the  one  his  sense  of  justice,  and  his  indomitable 
love  of  right,  had  prompted. 

The  stranger  demanded,  in  a  voice  that  lost  none  of  its 
depth  or  firmness,  '  '  Is  hunger  a  crime,  that  they  who  dwell 
so  far  from  the  haunts  of  selfishness  visit  it  with  their 
anger  ?  '  ' 

"The  foot  of  Christian  man  never  approached  the  gates 
of  Wish-Ton-Wish  to  be  turned  away  in  uncharitableness, 


Ube  Mept  ot  Misb^UotWlKIiteb  31 

but  that  which  is  freely  given  should  not  be  taken  in  licen- 
tiousness. From  off  the  hill  where  my  flock  is  wont  to 
graze,  it  is  easy,  through  many  an  opening  of  the  forest, 
to  see  these  roofs,  and  it  would  have  been  better  that  the 
body  should  languish,  than  that  a  grievous  sin  should  be 
placed  on  that  immortal  spirit  which  is  already  too  deeply 
laden,  unless  thou  art  far  more  happy  than  others  of  the 
fallen  race  of  Adam. ' ' 

"Mark  Heathcote,"  said  the  accused,  and  ever  with  an 
unwavering  tone,  ' '  look  further  at  those  weapons,  which, 
if  a  guilty  man,  I  have  weakly  placed  within  thy  power. 
Thou  wilt  find  more  there  to  wonder  at,  than  a  few  strag- 
gling hairs  that  the  spinner  would  cast  from  her  as  too 
coarse  for  service." 

"  It  is  long  since  I  found  pleasure  in  handling  the  weap- 
ons of  strife  ;  may  it  be  longer  to  the  time  when  they  shall 
be  needed  in  this  abode  of  peace.  These  are  instruments  of 
death,  resembling  those  used  in  my  youth  by  cavaliers  that 
rode  in  the  levies  of  the  first  Charles  and  of  his  pusillani- 
mous father.  There  was  worldly  pride  and  great  vanity, 
with  much  and  damning  ungodliness,  in  the  wars  that  I 
have  seen,  my  children ;  and  yet  the  carnal  man  found 
pleasure  in  the  stirrings  of  those  graceless  days  !  Come 
hither,  younker ;  thou  hast  often  sought  to  know  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  horsemen  are  wont  to  lead  into  the  combat, 
when  the  broad-mouthed  artillery  and  pattering  leaden  hail 
have  cleared  a  passage  for  the  struggle  of  horse  to  horse, 
and  man  to  man.  Much  of  the  justification  of  these  com- 
bats must  depend  on  the  inward  spirit,  and  on  the  temper 
of  him  that  striketh  at  the  life  of  a  fellow-sinner  ;  but  right- 
eous Joshua,  it  is  known,  contended  with  the  heathen 
throughout  a  supernatural  day ;  and,  therefore,  always 
humbly  confiding  that  our  cause  is  just,  I  will  open  to  thy 
young  mind  the  uses  of  a  weapon  that  hath  never  before 
been  seen  in  these  forests." 

"I  have  hefted  many  a  heavier  piece  than  this,"  said 
young  Mark,  frowning  equally  with  the  exertion  and  with 
the  instigations  of  his  aspiring  spirit,  as  he  held  out  the 
ponderous  weapon  in  a  single  hand  ;  "  we  have  guns  that 


32  Ube  Mept  ot 


might  tame  a  wolf  with  greater  certainty  than  any  barrel  of 
a  bore  less  than  my  own  height.  Tell  me,  grand'  ther,  at 
what  distance  do  the  mounted  warriors  you  so  often  name 
take  their  sight?" 

But  the  power  of  speech  appeared  suddenly  to  have  de- 
serted the  aged  veteran.  He  had  interrupted  his  own  dis- 
course, and  now,  instead  of  answering  the  interrogatory  of 
the  boy,  his  eye  wandered  slowly  and  with  a  look  of  painful 
doubt  from  the  weapon  that  he  still  held  before  him,  to  the 
countenance  of  the  stranger.  The  latter  continued  erect, 
like  one  courting  a  strict  and  meaning  examination  of  his 
person.  This  d,umb-show  could  not  fail  to  attract  the  obser- 
vation of  Content.  Rising  from  his  seat,  with  that  quiet 
but  authoritative  manner  which  is  still  seen  in  the  domestic 
government  of  the  people  of  the  region  where  he  dwelt,  he 
beckoned  to  all  present  to  quit  the  apartment.  Ruth  and 
her  daughters,  the  hirelings,  the  ill-gifted  Whittal,  and  even 
the  reluctant  Mark,  preceded  him  to  the  door,  which  he 
closed  with  respectful  care,  and  then  the  whole  of  the  won- 
dering party  mingled  with  those  of  the  outer  room,  leaving 
the  one  they  had  quitted  to  the  sole  possession  of  the  aged 
chief  of  the  settlement,  and  to  this  still  unknown  and  mys- 
terious guest. 

Many  anxious,  and  to  those  who  were  excluded,  seem- 
ingly interminable  minutes  passed,  and  the  secret  interview 
appeared  to  draw  no  nearer  its  close.  That  deep  reverence 
which  the  years,  paternity,  and  character  of  the  grandfather 
had  inspired,  prevented  all  from  approaching  the  quarter 
of  the  apartment  nearest  the  room  they  had  left  ;  but  a 
silence,  still  as  the  grave,  did  all  that  silence  could  do  to 
enlighten  their  minds  in  a  matter  of  so  much  general  inter- 
est. The  deep,  smothered  sentences  of  the  speakers  were 
often  heard,  each  dwelling  with  steadiness  and  propriety  on 
his  particular  theme,  but  no  sound  that  conveyed  meaning 
to  the  minds  of  those  without  passed  the  envious  walls.  At 
length,  the  voice  of  old  Mark  became  more  than  usually 
audible  ;  and  then  Content  arose,  with  a  gesture  to  those 
around  him  to  imitate  his  example.  The  young  men  threw 
aside  the  subjects  of  their  light  employments,  the  maidens 


Wept  of  WU&b*TLon*'mish  33 

left  the  wheels  which  had  not  been  turned  for  many  minutes, 
and  the  whole  party  disposed  themselves  in  the  decent  and 
simple  attitude  of  prayer.  For  the  third  time  that  evening 
was  the  voice  of  the  Puritan  heard,  pouring  out  his  spirit  in 
a  communion  with  that  Being  on  whom  it  was  his  practice 
to  repose  all  his  worldly  cares.  But  though  long  accustomed 
to  all  the  peculiar  forms  of  utterance  by  which  their  father 
ordinarily  expressed  his  pious  emotions,  neither  Content  nor 
his  attentive  partner  was  enabled  to  decide  on  the  nature  of 
the  feeling  that  was  now  uppermost.  At  times  it  appeared 
to  be  the  language  of  thanksgiving,  and  at  others  it  assumed 
more  of  the  imploring  sounds  of  deprecation  and  petition  ; 
in  short,  it  was  so  varied,  and,  though  tranquil,  so  equivo- 
cal, if  such  a  term  may  be  applied  to  so  serious  a  subject,  as 
completely  to  baffle  every  conjecture. 

Long  and  weary  minutes  passed  after  the  voice  had  en- 
tirely ceased,  and  yet  no  summons  was  given  to  the  expect- 
ing family,  nor  did  any  sound  proceed  from  the  inner  room 
which  the  respectful  son  was  emboldened  to  construe  into 
evidence  that  he  might  presume  to  enter.  At  length  appre- 
hensions began  to  mingle  with  conjectures,  and  then  the 
husband  and  wife  communed  apart,  in  whispers.  The  mis- 
givings and  doubt  of  the  former  soon  manifested  themselves 
in  still  more  apparent  forms.  He  arose,  and  was  seen  pac- 
ing the  wide  apartment,  gradually  approaching  nearer  to 
the  partition  which  separated  the  two  rooms,  evidently  pre- 
pared to  retire  beyond  the  limits  of  hearing,  the  moment  he 
should  detect  any  proofs  that  his  uneasiness  was  without  a 
sufficient  cause.  Still  no  sound  proceeded  from  the  inner 
room.  The  breathless  silence  which  had  so  shortly  before 
reigned  where  he  was,  appeared  to  be  suddenly  transferred 
to  the  spot  in  which  he  was  vainly  endeavoring  to  detect 
the  smallest  proof  of  human  existence.  Again  he  returned 
to  Ruth,  and  again  they  consulted  in  low  voices,  as  to  the 
step  that  filial  duty  seemed  to  require  at  their  hands. 

"  We  were  not  bidden  to  withdraw,"  said  his  gentle  com- 
panion ;    "why  not  rejoin  our  parent,  now  that  time  has 
been  given  to  understand  the  subject  which  so  evidently 
disturbed  his  mind?  " 
3  — 


34  tTbe  TKHept  of 


Content  at  length  yielded  to  this  opinion.  With  that 
cautious  discretion  which  distinguishes  his  people,  he  mo- 
tioned to  the  family  to  follow,  in  order  that  no  unnecessary 
exclusion  should  give  rise  to  conjectures  or  excite  suspi- 
cions, of  which,  after  all,  the  circumstances  might  prove  no 
justification.  Notwithstanding  the  subdued  manners  of 
the  age  and  country,  curiosity,  and  perhaps  a  better  feel- 
ing, had  become  so  intense  as  to  cause  all  present  to 
obey  this  silent  mandate,  by  moving  as  swiftly  towards  the 
open  door  as  a  never-yielding  decency  of  demeanor  would 
permit. 

Old  Mark  Heathcote  occupied  the  chair  in  which  he  had 
been  left,  with  that  calm  and  unbending  gravity  of  eye  and 
features  which  were  then  thought  indispensable  to  a  fitting 
sobriety  of  spirit.  But  the  stranger  had  disappeared.  There 
were  two  or  three  outlets  by  which  the  room,  and  even  the 
house,  might  be  quitted,  without  the  knowledge  of  those 
who  had  so  long  waited  for  admission  ;  and  the  first  impres- 
sion led  the  family  to  expect  the  reappearance  of  the  absent 
man  through  one  of  these  exterior  passages.  Content,  how- 
ever, read  in  the  expression  of  his  father's  eye  that  the 
moment  of  confidence,  if  it  were  ever  to  arrive,  had  not  yet 
come  ;  and  so  admirable  and  perfect  was  the  domestic  disci- 
pline of  this  family,  that  the  questions  which  the  son  did 
not  see  fit  to  propound,  no  one  of  inferior  condition,  or 
lesser  age,  might  presume  to  agitate.  With  the  person  of  the 
stranger,  every  evidence  of  his  recent  visit  had  also  vanished. 

Mark  missed  the  weapon  that  had  excited  his  admiration  ; 
Whittal  looked  in  vain  for  the  hunting-knife  which  had 
betrayed  the  fate  of  the  wether  ;  Mrs.  Heathcote  saw  by  a 
hasty  glance  of  the  eye  that  the  leathern  sacks,  which  she 
had  borne  in  mind  ought  to  be  transferred  to  the  sleeping 
apartment  of  their  guest,  were  gone  ;  and  a  mild  and  play- 
ful image  of  herself,  who  bore  her  name  no  less  than  most 
of  those  features  which  had  rendered  her  own  youth  more 
than  usually  attractive,  sought,  without  success,  a  massive 
silver  spur,  of  curious  and  antique  workmanship,  which  she 
had  been  permitted  to  handle  until  the  moment  whe&  the 
family  had  been  commanded  to  withdraw. 


ZTbe  Mept  of  Mteb*fton*Tlfllteb  35 

The  night  had  now  worn  later  than  the  hour  at  which  it 
was  usual  for  people  of  habits  so  simple  to  be  out  of  their 
beds.  The  grandfather  lighted  a  taper,  and,  after  bestowing 
the  usual  blessing  on  those  around  him,  with  an  air  as  calm 
as  if  nothing  had  occurred,  he  prepared  to  retire  into  hi& 
own  room.  And  yet,  matter  of  interest  seemed  to  linger  on 
his  mind.  Even  on  the  threshold  of  the  door,  he  turned, 
and,  for  an  instant,  all  expected  some  explanation  of  a  cir- 
cumstance which  began  to  wear  no  little  of  the  aspect  of  an 
exciting  and  painful  mystery.  But  their  hopes  were  raised 
only  to  be  disappointed. 

"  My  thoughts  have  not  kept  the  passage  of  the  time," 
he  said.  "  In  what  hour  of  the  night  are  we,  my  son?  " 

He  was  told  that  it  was  already  past  the  usual  moment 
of  sleep. 

"No  matter;  that  which  Providence  hath  bestowed  for 
our  comfort  and  support  should  not  be  lightly  and  unthank- 
fully  disregarded.  Take  thou  the  beast  I  am  wont  to  ride, 
thyself,  Content,  and  follow  the  path  which  leadeth  to  the 
mountain  clearing  ;  bring  away  that  which  shall  meet  thine 
eye,  near  the  first  turning  of  the  route  towards  the  river 
towns.  We  have  got  into  the  last  quarter  of  the  year,  and 
in  order  that  our  industry  may  not  flag,  and  that  all  may  be 
stirring  with  the  sun,  let  the  remainder  of  the  household 
seek  their  rest." 

Content  saw,  by  the  manner  of  his  father,  that  no  depart- 
ure from  the  strict  letter  of  these  instructions  was  admissible. 
He  closed  the  door  after  his  retiring  form,  and  then,  by  a 
quiet  gesture  of  authority,  indicated  to  his  dependants  that 
they  were  expected  to  withdraw.  The  maidens  of  Ruth  led 
the  children  to  their  chambers,  and  in  a  few  more  minutes 
none  remained  in  the  outer  apartment,  already  so  often 
named,  but  the  obedient  son,  with  his  anxious  and  affec- 
tionate consort. 

"  I  will  be  thy  companion,  husband,"  Ruth  half  whisper- 
ingly  commenced,  as  soon  as  the  little  domestic  preparations 
for  leaving  the  fires  and  securing  the  doors  were  ended.  '  *  I 
like  not  that  thou  shouldst  go  into  the  forest  alone,  at  so 
late  an  hour  of  the  nigkt." 


36  Ube  Mept  of 


"One  will  be  with  me  there,  who  never  deserteth  those 
who  rely  on  His  protection.  Besides,  my  Ruth,  what  is 
there  to  apprehend  in  a  wilderness  like  this  ?  The  beasts 
have  been  lately  hunted  from  the  hills,  and  excepting  those 
who  dwell  under  our  own  roof,  there  is  not  one  within  a 
long  day's  ride." 

4  '  We  know  not  !  Where  is  the  stranger  that  came  within 
our  doors  as  the  sun  was  setting  ?  '  ' 

'  '  As  thou  sayest,  we  know  not.  My  father  is  not  minded 
to  open  his  lips  on  the  subject  of  this  traveller,  and  surely 
we  are  not  now  to  learn  the  lessons  of  obedience  and  self- 
denial." 

"  It  would,  notwithstanding,  be  a  great  easing  to  the 
spirit  to  hear  at  least  the  name  of  him  who  hath  eaten  of 
our  bread,  and  joined  in  our  family  worship,  though  he 
were  immediately  to  pass  away  forever  from  before  the 
sight." 

"That  may  he  have  done,  already!"  returned  the  less 
curious  and  more  self-restrained  hushand.  "  My  father 
wills  not  that  we  inquire." 

'  '  And  yet  there  can  be  little  sin  in  knowing  the  condition 
of  one  whose  fortunes  and  movements  can  excite  neither 
our  envy  nor  our  strife.  I  would  that  we  had  tarried  for  a 
closer  mingling  in  the  prayers  ;  it  was  not  seemly  to  desert 
a  guest  who,  it  would  appear,  had  need  of  an  especial  up- 
offering  in  his  behalf." 

"Our  spirits  joined  in  the  asking,  though  our  ears  were 
shut  to  the  matter  of  his  wants.  But  it  will  be  needful  that 
I  should  be  afoot  with  the  young  men,  in  the  morning, 
and  a  mile  of  measurement  would  not  reach  to  the  turning 
in  the  path  to  the  river  towns.  Go  with  me  to  the  postern, 
and  look  to  the  fastenings  ;  I  will  not  keep  thee  long  on 
thy  watch." 

Content  and  his  wife  now  quitted  the  dwelling,  by  the 
only  door  that  was  left  unbarred.  Lighted  by  a  rnoon  that 
was  full  though  clouded,  they  passed  a  gateway  between 
two  of  the  outer  buildings,  and  descended  to  the  palisadoes. 
The  bars  and  bolts  of  the  little  postern  were  removed,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  the  former,  mounted  on  the  back  of  his 


Ube  Wept  of 


37 


father's  own  horse,  was  galloping  briskly  along  the  path 
which  led  into  the  part  of  the  forest  he  was  directed  to 
seek. 

While  the  husband  was  thus  proceeding,  in  obedience  to 
orders  that  he  never  hesitated  to  obey,  his  faithful  wife 
withdrew  within  the  shelter  of  the  wooden  defences.  More 
in  compliance  with  a  precaution  that  was  become  habitual, 
than  from  any  present  causes  of  suspicion,  she  drew  a  single 
bolt  and  remained  at  the  postern,  anxiously  awaiting  the 
result  of  a  movement  that  was  as  unaccountable  as  it  was 
extraordinary. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

"  I*  the  name  of  something  holy,  sir,  why  stand  you 
In  this  strange  stare?  " 

Tempest. 

AS  a  girl,  Ruth  Harding  had  been  one  of  the  mildest 
and  gentlest  of  the  human  race.  Though  new 
impulses  had  been  given  to  her  naturally  kind 
affections  by  the  attachments  of  a  wife  and  mother, 
her  disposition  suffered  no  change  by  marriage.  Obedient, 
disinterested,  and  devoted  to  those  she  loved,  as  her  parents 
had  known  her,  so,  by  the  experience  of  many  years,  had 
she  proved  to  Content.  In  the  midst  of  the  utmost  equanimity 
of  temper  and  of  deportment,  her  watchful  solicitude  in  be- 
half of  the  few  who  formed  the  limited  circle  of  her  existence 
never  slumbered.  It  dwelt  unpretendingly  but  active  in  her 
gentle  bosom,  like  a  great  and  moving  principle  of  life. 
Though  circumstances  had  placed  her  on  a  remote  and  ex- 
posed frontier,  where  time  had  not  been  given  for  the  several 
customary  divisions  of  employments,  she  was  unchanged  in 
habits,  in  feelings,  and  in  character.  The  affluence  of  her 
husband  had  elevated  her  above  the  necessity  of  burdensome 
toil ;  and,  while  she  had  encountered  the  dangers  of  the  wil- 
derness, and  neglected  none  of  the  duties  of  her  active  station, 
she  had  escaped  most  of  those  injurious  consequences  which 
are  a  little  apt  to  impair  the  peculiar  loveliness  of  women. 
Notwithstanding  the  exposure  of  a  border  life,  she  remained 
feminine,  attractive,  and  singularly  youthful. 

The  reader  will  readily  imagine  the  state  of  mind  with 
which  such  a  being  watched  the  distant  form  of  a  husband 
engaged  in  a  duty  like  that  we  have  described.  Not  with- 


Ube  Mept  of  Mteb^on^CJOltsb  39 

standing  the  influence  of  long  habit,  the  forest  was  rarely 
approached  after  night-fall  by  the  boldest  woodsman,  with- 
out some  secret  consciousness  that  he  encountered  a  positive 
danger.  It  was  the  hour  when  its  roaming  and  hungry  ten- 
ants were  known  to  be  most  in  motion  :  and  the  rustling 
of  a  leaf  or  the  snapping  of  a  dried  twig  beneath  the  light  tread 
of  the  smallest  animal,  was  apt  to  conjure  up  images  of  the 
voracious  and  fire-eyed  panther,  or  perhaps  of  a  lurking 
biped,  which,  though  more  artful,  was  known  to  be  scarcely 
less  savage.  It  is  true  that  hundreds  experienced  the  un- 
easiness of  such  sensations,  who  were  never  fated  to  undergo 
the  realities  of  the  fearful  pictures.  Still,  facts  were  not 
wanting  to  supply  sufficient  motive  for  a  grave  and  reason- 
able apprehension. 

Histories  of  combats  with  beasts  of  prey,  and  of  massa- 
cres by  roving  and  lawless  Indians,  were  the  moving  legends 
of  the  border.  Thrones  might  be  subverted  and  kingdoms 
lost  and  won  in  distant  Europe,  and  less  would  be  said  of 
the  events  by  those  who  dwelt  in  these  woods,  than  of  one 
scene  of  peculiar  and  striking  forest  incident  that  called  for 
the  exercise  of  the  stout  courage  and  the  keen  intelligence 
of  a  settler.  Such  a  tale  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth,  with 
the  eagerness  of  powerful  personal  interest,  and  many  were 
already  transmitted  from  parent  to  child,  in  the  form  of 
tradition,  until,  as  in  more  artificial  communities  graver 
improbabilities  creep  into  the  doubtful  pages  of  history, 
exaggeration  became  too  closely  blended  with  truth  ever 
again  to  be  separated. 

Under  the  influence  of  these  feelings,  and  perhaps  promp- 
ted by  his  never-failing  discretion,  Content  had  thrown  a 
well-tried  piece  over  his  shoulder ;  and  when  he  rose  the 
ascent  on  which  his  father  had  met  the  stranger,  Ruth 
caught  a  glimpse  of  his  form,  bending  on  the  neck  of  his 
horse,  and  gliding  through  the  misty  light  of  the  hour,  resem- 
bling one  of  those  fancied  images  of  wayward  and  hard-riding 
sprites,  of  which  the  tales  of  the  eastern  continent  are  so  fond 
of  speaking. 

Then  followed  anxious  moments,  during  which  neither 
sight  nor  hearing  could  in  the  least  aid  the  conjectures  of  the 


40  Ube  Wept  of 


attentive  wife.  She  listened  without  breathing,  and  once 
or  twice  she  thought  the  blows  of  hoofs  falling  on  the  earth 
harder  and  quicker  than  common  might  be  distinguished  ; 
but  it  was  only  as  Content  mounted  the  sudden  ascent  of  the 
hill-side  that  he  was  again  seen,  for  a  brief  instant,  while 
dashing  swiftly  into  the  cover  of  the  woods. 

Though  Ruth  had  been  familiar  with  the  cares  of  the 
frontier,  perhaps  she  had  never  known  a  moment  more  in- 
tensely painful  than  that  when  the  form  of  her  husband  be- 
came blended  with  the  dark  trunks  of  the  trees.  The  time  was, 
to  her  impatience,  longer  than  usual,  and  under  the  excite- 
ment of  a  feverish  inquietude  that  had  no  definite  object, 
she  removed  the  single  bolt  that  held  the  postern  closed,  and 
passed  entirely  without  the  stockade.  To  her  oppressed 
senses  the  palisadoes  appeared  to  place  limits  to  her  vision. 
Still  weary  minute  passed  after  minute,  without  bringing 
relief.  During  these  anxious  moments  she  became  more  than 
usually  conscious  of  the  insulated  situation  in  which  he  and 
all  who  were  dearest  to  her  heart  were  placed.  The  feelings 
of  a  wife  prevailed.  Quitting  the  side  of  the  acclivity,  she 
began  to  walk  slowly  along  the  path  her  husband  had 
taken,  until  apprehension  insensibly  urged  her  into  a  quicker 
movement.  She  had  paused  only  when  she  stood  nearly  in 
the  centre  of  the  clearing,  on  the  eminence  where  her  father 
had  halted  that  evening  to  contemplate  the  growing  improve- 
ment of  his  estate. 

Here  her  steps  were  suddenly  arrested,  for  she  thought 
a  form  was  issuing  from  the  forest  at  that  interesting  spot 
which  her  eyes  had  never  ceased  to  watch.  It  proved  to  be 
no  more  than  the  passing  shadow  of  a  cloud,  denser  than 
common,  which  threw  the  body  of  its  darkness  on  the  trees, 
and  a  portion  of  its  outline  on  the  ground  near  the  margin 
of  the  wood.  Just  at  this  instant  the  recollection  that  she 
had  incautiously  left  the  postern  open  flashed  upon  her 
mind,  and,  with  feelings  divided  between  husband  and  chil- 
dren, she  commenced  her  return,  in  order  to  repair  a  neglect 
to  which  habit,  no  less  than  prudence,  imparted  a  high 
degree  of  culpability.  The  eyes  of  the  mother,  for  the  feel- 
ings of  that  sacred  character  were  now  powerfully  upper- 


•ftllept  of  mfs&*aotWQmteb  41 

most,  were  fastened  on  the  ground,  as  she  eagerly  picked 
her  way  along  the  uneven  surface  ;  and  so  engrossed  was 
her  mind  by  the  omission  of  duty  with  which  she  was  severely 
reproaching  herself,  that  they  drank  in  objects  without 
conveying  distinct  or  intelligible  images  to  her  brain. 

Notwithstanding  the  one  engrossing  thought  of  the  mo- 
ment, something  met  her  eye  that  caused  even  the  vacant 
organ  to  recoil,  and  every  fibre  in  her  frame  to  tremble 
with  terror.  There  was  a  moment  in  which  delirium  nearly 
heightened  terror  to  madness.  Reflection  came  only  when 
Ruth  had  reached  the  distance  of  many  feet  from  the  spot 
where  this  startling  object  had  half  unconsciously  crossed 
her  vision.  Then  for  a  single  and  a  fearful  instant  she 
paused,  like  one  who  debated  on  the  course  she  ought  to 
follow.  Maternal  love  prevailed,  and  the  deer  of  her  own 
woods  scarcely  bounds  with  greater  agility  than  the  mother 
of  the  sleeping  and  defenceless  family  now  fled  towards  the 
dwellings.  Panting  and  breathless  she  gained  the  postern, 
which  was  closed  with  hands  that  performed  their  office 
more  by  instinct  than  in  obedience  to  thought,  and  doubly 
and  trebly  barred. 

For  the  first  time  in  some  minutes  Ruth  now  breathed 
distinctly  and  without  pain.  She  strove  to  rally  her 
thoughts,  in  order  to  deliberate  on  the  course  that  pru- 
dence and  her  duty  to  Content,  who  was  still  exposed  to 
the  danger  she  had  herself  escaped,  prescribed.  Her  first 
impulse  was  to  give  the  established  signal  that  was  to  recall 
the  laborers  from  the  field,  or  to  awake  the  sleepers,  in  the 
event  of  an  alarm ;  but  better  reflection  told  her  that  such 
a  step  might  prove  fatal  to  him  who  balanced  in  her  affec- 
tions against  the  rest  of  the  world.  The  struggle  in  her 
mind  only  ended  as  she  clearly  and  unequivocally  caught  a 
view  of  her  husband,  issuing  from  the  forest  at  the  very 
point  where  he  had  entered.  The  return  path  unfortu- 
nately led  directly  past  the  spot  where  such  sudden  terror 
had  seized  her  mind.  She  would  have  given  worlds  to 
have  known  how  to  apprise  him  of  a  danger  with  which 
her  own  imagination  was  full,  without  communicating  the 
warning  to  other  and  terrible  ears.  The  night  was  still, 


42  ftbe  Mept  of 


and  though  the  distance  was  considerable,  it  was  not  so 
great  as  to  render  the  chances  of  success  desperate. 
Scarcely  knowing  what  she  did,  and  yet  preserving,  by  a 
sort  of  instinctive  prudence,  the  caution  which  constant 
exposure  weaves  into  all  our  habits,  the  trembling  woman 
made  the  effort. 

"Husband!  husband!''  she  cried,  commencing  plaint- 
ively, but  her  voice  rising  with  the  energy  of  excitement. 
"  Husband,  ride  swiftly  ;  our  little  Ruth  lieth  in  the  agony. 
For  her  life  and  thine,  ride  at  thy  horse's  speed.  Seek  not 
the  stables,  but  come  with  all  haste  to  the  postern  ;  it  shall 
be  open  to  thee." 

This  was  certainly  a  fearful  summons  for  a  father's  ear, 
and  there  is  little  doubt  that,  had  the  feeble  powers  of  Ruth 
succeeded  in  conveying  the  words  as  far  as  she  had  wished, 
they  would  have  produced  the  desired  effect.  But  in  vain 
did  she  call  ;  her  weak  tones,  though  raised  on  the  notes 
of  keenest  apprehension,  could  not  force  their  way  across  so 
wide  a  space.  And  yet  had  she  reason  to  think  they  were 
not  entirely  lost,  for  once  her  husband  paused  and  seemed 
to  listen,  and  once  he  quickened  the  pace  of  his  horse  ; 
though  neither  of  these  proofs  of  intelligence  was  followed 
by  any  further  signs  of  his  having  understood  the  alarm. 

Content  was  now  upon  the  hillock  itself.  If  Ruth 
breathed  at  all  during  its  passage,  it  was  more  imperceptible 
than  the  gentlest  respiration  of  the  sleeping  infant.  But 
when  she  saw  him  trotting  with  unconscious  security  along 
the  path  on  the  side  next  the  dwellings,  her  impatience 
broke  through  all  restraint,  and  throwing  open  the  postern, 
she  renewed  her  cries,  in  a  voice  that  was  no  longer  useless. 
The  clattering  of  the  unshodden  hoof  was  again  rapid, 
and  in  another  minute  her  husband  galloped  unharmed  to 
her  side. 

'  '  Enter  !  '  '  said  the  nearly  dizzy  wife,  seizing  the  bridle 
and  leading  the  horse  within  the  palisadoes.  '  '  Enter,  hus- 
band, for  the  love  of  all  that  is  thine  ;  enter,  and  be  thank- 
ful !" 

*  '  What  meaneth  this  terror,  Ruth  ?  '  '  demanded  Content, 
in  as  much  displeasure,  perhaps,  as  he  could  manifest  to  one 


TTbe  Mept  of  Mteb^Uon^Wfsb  43 

so  gentle,  for  a  weakness  betrayed  in  his  own  behalf ;  '  *  is 
thy  confidence  in  Him  whose  eye  never  closeth,  and  who 
equally  watcheth  the  life  of  man  and  that  of  the  falling 
sparrow,  lost  ?  ' ' 

Ruth  was  deaf.  With  hurried  hands  she  drew  the  fasten- 
ings, let  fall  the  bars,  and  turned  a  key  which  forced  a 
triple-bolted  lock  to  perform  its  office.  Not  till  then  did 
she  feel  either  safe  herself,  or  at  liberty  to  render  thanks 
for  the  safety  of  him  over  whose  danger  she  had  so  lately 
watched  in  agony. 

' 'Why  this  care?  Hast  forgotten  that  the  horse  will 
suffer  hunger,  at  this  distance  from  the  rack  and  manger  ?  ' ' 

' '  Better  that  he  starve,  than  hair  of  thine  should  come  to 
harm." 

* '  Nay,  nay,  Ruth  ;  dost  not  remember  that  the  beast  is 
the  favorite  of  my  father,  who  will  ill  brook  his  passing  a 
night  within  the  palisadoes  ?  ' ' 

' '  Husband,  you  err  ;  there  is  one  in  the  fields. ' ' 

* '  Is  there  place  where  One  is  not  ?  ' ' 

1 '  But  I  have  seen  creature  of  mortal  birth,  and  creature 
too  that  hath  no  claim  on  thee  or  thine,  and  who  trespass- 
eth  on  our  peace,  no  less  than  on  our  natural  rights,  to  be 
where  he  lurketh. ' ' 

' '  Go  to  ;  thou  art  not  used  to  be  so  late  from  thy  pillow, 
my  poor  Ruth  ;  sleep  hath  come  over  thee,  whilst  standing 
on  thy  watch.  Some  cloud  hath  left  its  shadow  on  the 
fields,  or,  truly,  it  may  be  that  the  hunt  did  not  drive  the 
beasts  as  far  from  the  clearing  as  we  had  thought.  Come  ; 
since  thou  wilt  cling  to  my  side,  lay  hand  on  the  bridle  of 
the  horse,  while  I  ease  him  of  his  burden." 

As  Content  coolly  proceeded  to  the  task  he  had  men- 
tioned, the  thoughts  of  his  wife  were  momentarily  diverted 
from  their  other  sources  of  uneasiness,  by  the  object  which 
lay  on  the  crupper  of  the  nag,  and  which,  until  now,  had 
entirely  escaped  her  observation. 

"Here  is,  indeed,  the  animal  this  day  missing  from  our 
flock  ! ' '  she  exclaimed,  as  the  carcass  of  a  sheep  fell  heavily 
on  the  ground. 

"  Ay ;  and  killed  with  exceeding  judgment,  if  not  aptly 


44  ftbe  Mept  ot 


dressed  to  our  hands.  Mutton  will  not  be  wanting  for  the 
husking-feast,  and  the  stalled  creature  whose  days  were 
counted  may  live  another  season.'* 

*  '  And  where  didst  find  the  slaughtered  beast  ?  '  ' 

"  On  the  limb  of  a  growing  hickory.  Kben  Dudley,  with 
all  his  sleight  in  butchering,  and  in  setting  forth  the  excel- 
lence of  his  meats,  could  not  have  left  an  animal  hanging 
from  the  branch  of  a  sapling  with  greater  knowledge  of  his 
craft.  Thou  seest,  but  a  single  meal  is  missing  from  the 
carcass,  and  that  thy  fleece  is  unharmed.  '  ' 

"This  is  not  the  work  of  a  Pequot  !  "  exclaimed  Ruth, 
surprised  at  her  own  discovery  ;  '  '  the  redmen  do  their  mis- 
chief with  less  care.  '  ' 

"Nor  has  the  tooth  of  wolf  opened  the  veins  of  poor 
Straight-  Horns.  Here  has  been  judgment  in  the  slaugh- 
tering, as  well  as  prudence  in  consumption  of  the  food. 
The  hand  that  cut  so  lightly  had  intention  of  a  second 
visit." 

'  *  And  our  father  bid  thee  seek  the  creature  where  it  was 
found  !  Husband,  I  fear  some  heavy  judgment  for  the  sins 
of  the  parents  is  likely  to  befall  the  children." 

'  '  The  babes  are  quietly  in  their  slumbers,  and,  thus  far, 
little  wrong  hath  been  done  us.  I  '11  cast  the  halter  from 
the  stalled  animal  ere  I  sleep,  and  Straight-Horns  shall  con- 
tent us  for  the  husking.  We  may  have  mutton  less  savory 
for  this  evil  chance,  but  the  number  of  thy  flock  will  be 
unaltered." 

'  c  And  where  is  he  who  hath  mingled  in  our  prayers,  and 
hath  eaten  of  our  bread  ;  he  who  counselled  so  long  in  secret 
with  our  father,  and  who  hath  now  vanished  from  among 
us  like  a  vision  ?  '  ' 

'  '  That  indeed  is  a  question  not  readily  to  be  answered,  '  ' 
returned  Content,  who  had  hitherto  maintained  a  cheerful 
air,  in  order  to  appease  what  he  was  fain  to  believe  a  cause- 
less terror  in  the  bosom  of  his  partner,  but  who  was  induced 
by  this  question  to  drop  his  head  like  one  that  sought 
reasons  within  the  repository  of  his  own  thought.  "  It 
mattereth  not,  Ruth  Heathcote  ;  the  ordering  of  the  affair  is 
in  the  hands  of  a  man  of  many  years  and  great  experience  ; 


ZTbe  Mept  of  Wfsb^UotWIKIUsb  45 

should  his  aged  wisdom  fail,  do  we  not  know  that  One  even 
wiser  than  he  hath  us  in  his  keeping  ?  I  will  return  the 
beast  to  his  rack,  and  when  we  shall  have  jointly  asked  favor 
of  eyes  that  never  sleep,  we  will  go  in  confidence  to  our  rest." 

"  Husband,  thou  quittest  not  the  palisadoes  again  this 
night,"  said  Ruth,  arresting  the  hand  that  had  already  drawn 
a  bolt,  ere  she  spoke.  * '  I  have  a  warning  of  evil." 

''I  would  the  stranger  had  found  some  other  shelter  in 
which  to  pass  his  short  resting  season.  That  he  hath 
made  free  with  my  flock,  and  that  he  hath  administered  to 
his  hunger  at  some  cost,  when  a  single  asking  would  have 
made  him  welcome  to  the  best  that  the  owner  of  the  Wish- 
Ton-Wish  can  command,  are  truths  that  may  not  be  denied. 
Still  is  he  mortal  man,  as  a  goodly  appetite  hath  proven, 
even  should  our  belief  in  Providence  so  far  waver  as  to 
harbor  doubts  of  its  unwillingness  to  suffer  beings  of  in- 
justice to  wander  in  our  forms  and  substance.  I  tell  thee, 
Ruth,  that  the  nag  will  be  needed  for  to-morrow's  service, 
and  that  our  father  will  give  but  ill  thanks  should  we  leave 
it  to  make  a  bed  on  this  cold  hill-side.  Go  to  thy  rest  and 
to  thy  prayers,  trembler  ;  I  will  close  the  postern  with  all 
care.  Fear  not ;  the  stranger  is  of  human  wants,  and  his 
agency  to  do  evil  must  needs  be  limited  by  human  power. ' ' 

"  I  fear  none  of  white  blood,  nor  of  Christian  parentage  ; 
the  murderous  heathen  is  in  our  fields." 

' '  Thou  dreamiest,  Ruth  !  " 

"  'Tis  not  a  dream.  I  have  seen  the  glowing  eyeballs  of 
a  savage.  Sleep  was  little  like  to  come  over  me  when  set 
upon  a  watch  like  this.  I  thought  me  that  the  errand  was 
of  unknown  character,  and  that  our  father  was  exceedingly 
aged,  and  that  perchance  his  senses  might  be  duped,  and 
how  an  obedient  son  ought  not  to  be  exposed.  Thou  know- 
est,  Heathcote,  that  I  could  not  look  upon  the  danger  of 
my  children's  father  with  indifference,  and  I  followed  to 
the  nut-tree  hillock." 

' '  To  the  nut-tree  !  It  was  not  prudent  in  thee — but  the 
postern  ? J ' 

* '  It  was  open  ;  for  were  the  key  turned,  who  was  there 
to  admit  us  quickly,  had  haste  been  needed?"  returned 


46  Ube  Wept  of 


Ruth,  momentarily  averting  her  face  to  conceal  the  flush 
excited  by  conscious  delinquency.  "Though  I  failed  in 
caution,  't  was  for  thy  safety,  Heathcote.  But  on  that  hil- 
lock, and  in  the  hollow  left  by  a  fallen  tree,  lies  concealed  a 
heathen  !  " 

' '  I  passed  the  nut-wood  in  going  to  the  shambles  of  our 
strange  butcher,  and  I  drew  the  rein  to  give  breath  to  the 
nag  near  it,  as  we  returned  with  the  burden.  It  cannot  be  ; 
some  creature  of  the  forest  hath  alarmed  thee." 

' '  Ay  !  creature  formed,  fashioned,  gifted  like  ourselves,  in 
all  but  color  of  the  skin  and  blessing  of  the  faith." 

* '  This  is  strange  delusion  !  If  there  were  enemy  at  hand 
would  men  subtle  as  those  you  fear  suffer  the  master  of  the 
dwelling,  and  truly  I  may  say  it  without  vainglory,  one  as 
likely  as  another  to  struggle  stoutly  for  his  own,  to  escape, 
when  an  ill-timed  visit  to  the  woods  had  delivered  him  un- 
resisting into  their  hands  ?  Go,  go,  good  Ruth  ;  thou  mayst 
have  seen  a  blackened  log  ;  perchance  the  frosts  have  left  a 
fire-fly  untouched,  or  it  may  be  that  some  prowling  bear 
has  scented  out  the  sweets  of  thy  lately  gathered  hives." 

Ruth  again  laid  her  hand  firmly  on  the  arm  of  her  hus- 
band, who  had  withdrawn  another  bolt,  and,  looking  him 
steadily  in  the  face,  she  answered  by  saying  solemnly,  and 
with  touching  pathos, — 

"Thinkest  thou,  husband,  that  a  mother's  eye  could  be 
deceived?" 

It  might  have  been  that  the  allusion  to  the  tender  beings 
whose  fate  depended  on  his  care,  or  that  the  deeply  serious, 
though  mild  and  gentle  manner  of  his  consort,  produced 
some  fresher  impression  on  the  mind  of  Content.  Instead 
of  undoing  the  fastenings  of  the  postern  as  he  had  intended, 
he  deliberately  drew  his  bolts  again  and  paused  to  think. 

' '  If  it  produce  no  other  benefit  than  to  quiet  thy  fears, 
good  Ruth,"  he  said,  after  a  moment  of  reflection,  "  a  little 
caution  will  be  well  repaid.  Stay  you,  then,  here,  where 
the  hillock  may  be  watched,  while  I  go  wake  a  couple  of  the 
people.  With  stout  Eben  Dudley  and  experienced  Reuben 
Ring  to  back  me,  my  father's  horse  may  surely  be  stabled." 

Ruth  contentedly  assumed  a  task  that  she  was  quite  equal 


Wept  of  Mteb*Uon*TlflUsb  47 

to  perform  with  intelligence  and  zeal.  <(Hie  thee  to  the 
laborers'  chambers,  for  I  see  a  light  still  burning  in  the  room 
of  those  you  seek,"  was  the  answer  she  gave  to  a  proposal 
that  at  least  quieted  the  intenseness  of  her  fears  for  him  in 
whose  behalf  they  had  so  lately  been  excited  nearly  to  agony. 

' '  It  shall  be  quickly  done  ;  nay,  stand  not  thus  openly 
between  the  beams,  wife.  Thou  mayst  place  thyself  here 
at  the  doublings  of  the  wood,  beneath  the  loop,  where  harm 
would  scarcely  reach  thee,  though  shot  from  artillery  were 
to  crush  the  timber. ' ' 

With  this  admonition  to  be  wary  of  a  danger  that  he  had 
so  recently  afiected  to  despise,  Content  departed  on  his 
errand.  The  two  laborers  he  had  mentioned  by  name  were 
youths  of  mould  and  strength,  and  they  were  well  inured  to 
toil,  no  less  than  to  the  particular  privations  and  dangers  of 
a  border  life.  Like  most  men  of  their  years  and  condition, 
they  were  practised,  too,  in  the  wiles  of  Indian  cunning  ;  and 
though  the  Province  of  Connecticut,  compared  to  other  set- 
tlements, had  suffered  but  little  in  this  species  of  murderous 
warfare,  they  both  had  martial  feats  and  perilous  experiences 
of  their  own  to  recount  during  the  light  labors  of  the  long 
winter  evenings. 

Content  crossed  the  court  with  a  quick  step  ;  for,  not- 
withstanding his  steady  unbelief,  the  image  of  his  gentle 
wife  posted  on  her  outer  watch  hurried  his  movements. 
The  rap  he  gave  at  the  door,  on  reaching  the  apartment  of 
those  he  sought,  was  loud  as  it  was  sudden. 

' '  Who  calls  ? ' '  demanded  a  deep-toned  and  firm  voice 
from  within,  at  the  first  blow  of  the  knuckles  on  the  plank. 

' '  Quit  thy  beds  quickly,  and  come  forth  with  the  arms 
appointed  for  a  sally." 

"  That  is  soon  done,"  answered  a  stout  woodsman,  throw- 
ing open  the  door  and  standing  before  Content  in  the  gar- 
ments he  had  worn  throughout  the  day.  "We  were  just 
dreaming  that  the  night  was  not  to  pass  without  a  summons 
to  the  loops." 

"  Hast  seen  aught?" 

* '  Our  eyes  were  not  shut  more  than  those  of  others  ;  we 
saw  him  enter  that  no  man  hath  seen  depart. ' ' 


48  tlbe  Wept  of 


"  Come,  fellow  —  Whittal  Ring  would  scarce  give  wiser 
speech  than  this  cunning  reply  of  thine.  My  wife  is  at  the 
postern,  and  it  is  fit  we  go  to  relieve  her  watch.  Thou  wilt 
not  forget  the  horns  of  powder,  since  it  would  not  tell  to  our 
credit,  were  there  service  for  the  pieces,  and  we  lacking  in 
wherewithal  to  give  them  a  second  discharge.  '  ' 

The  hirelings  obeyed,  and  as  little  time  was  necessary  to 
arm  those  who  never  slept  without  weapons  and  ammunition 
within  reach  of  their  hands,  Content  was  speedily  followed 
by  his  dependants.  Ruth  was  found  at  her  post  ;  but  when 
urged  by  her  husband  to  declare  what  had  passed  in  his 
absence,  she  was  compelled  to  admit  that,  though  the  moon 
had  come  forth  brighter  and  clearer  from  behind  the  clouds, 
she  had  seen  nothing  to  add  to  her  alarm. 

"  We  will  then  lead  the  beast  to  his  stall,  and  close  our 
duty  by  setting  a  single  watch  for  the  rest  of  the  night," 
said  the  husband.  "  Reuben  shall  keep  the  postern,  while 
Bben  and  I  will  have  a  care  for  my  father's  nag,  not  forget- 
ting the  carcass  for  the  husking-feast.  Dost  hear,  deaf 
Dudley  ?  Cast  the  mutton  upon  the  crupper  of  the  beast 
and  follow  to  the  stables." 

'  *  Here  has  been  no  common  workman  at  my  office,  '  '  said 
the  blunt  Eben,  who,  though  an  ordinary  farm-laborer, 
according  to  an  usage  still  very  generally  prevalent  in  the 
country,  was  also  skilful  in  the  craft  of  the  butcher.  '  '  I 
have  brought  many  a  wether  to  his  end,  but  this  is  the  first 
sheep,  within  all  my  experience,  that  hath  kept  the  fleece 
while  a  portion  of  the  body  has  been  in  the  pot  !  Lie  there, 
poor  Straight-Horns,  if  quiet  thou  canst  be  after  such  strange 
butchery.  Reuben,  I  paid  thee,  as  the  sun  rose,  a  Spanish 
piece  of  silver  for  the  trifle  of  debt  that  lay  between  us,  in 
behalf  of  the  good  turn  thou  didst  the  shoes  which  were 
none  the  better  for  the  last  hunt  in  the  hills.  Hast  ever  that 
pistareen  about  thee  ?  '  ' 

This  question,  which  was  put  in  a  lowered  tone,  and  only 
to  the  ear  of  the  party  concerned,  was  answered  in  the 
affirmative. 

*  '  Give  it  me,  lad  ;  in  the  morning  thou  shalt  be  paid  with 
usurer'  s  interest.  '  ' 


tTbe  Mept  of  TOteb=*tron*Wteb  49 

Another  summons  from  Content,  who  had  now  led  the 
nag  loaded  with  the  carcass  of  the  sheep  without  the  postern, 
cut  short  the  secret  conference.  Kben  Dudley,  having 
received  the  coin,  hastened  to  follow.  But  the  distance  to 
the  out-buildings  was  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  effect  his 
mysterious  purpose  without  discovery.  Whilst  Content 
endeavored  to  calm  the  apprehensions  of  his  wife,  who  still 
persisted  in  sharing  his  danger,  by  such  reasons  as  he  could 
on  the  instant  command,  the  credulous  Dudley  placed  the 
thin  piece  of  silver  between  his  teeth,  and  with  a  pressure 
that  denoted  the  prodigious  force  of  his  jaws,  caused  it  to 
assume  a  beaten  and  rounded  shape.  He  then  slily  dropped 
the  battered  coin  into  the  muzzle  of  his  gun,  taking  care  to 
secure  its  presence  until  he  himself  should  send  it  on  its  dis- 
enchanting message,  by  a  wad  torn  from  the  lining  of  part 
of  his  vestments.  Supported  by  this  redoubtable  auxiliary, 
the  superstitious  but  still  courageous  borderer  followed  his 
companion,  whistling  a  low  air  that  equally  denoted  his 
indifference  to  danger  of  an  ordinary  nature,  and  his  sensi- 
bility to  impressions  of  a  less  earthly  character. 

They  who  dwell  in  the  older  districts  of  America,  where 
art  and  labor  have  united  for  generations  to  clear  the  earth 
of  its  inequalities,  and  to  remove  the  vestiges  of  a  state  of 
nature,  can  form  but  little  idea  of  the  thousand  objects  that 
may  exist  in  a  clearing,  to  startle  the  imagination  of  one 
who  has  admitted  alarm,  when  seen  in  the  doubtful  light  of 
even  a  cloudless  moon.  Still  less  can  they  who  have  never 
quitted  the  Old  World,  and  who,  having  only  seen,  can  only 
imagine  fields  smooth  as  the  surface  of  tranquil  water,  picture 
the  effect  produced  by  those  lingering  remnants  which  may 
be  likened  to  so  many  mouldering  monuments  of  the  fallen 
forest,  scattered  at  such  an  hour  over  a  broad  surface  of 
open  land.  Accustomed  as  they  were  to  the  sight,  Content 
and  his  partner,  excited  by  their  fears,  fancied  each  dark 
and  distant  stump  a  savage,  and  they  passed  no  angle  in  the 
high  and  heavy  fences  without  throwing  a  jealous  glance 
to  see  that  some  enemy  did  not  lie  stretched  within  its 
shadows. 

Still  no  new  motive  for  apprehension  arose  during  the 


50  Ube  miept  of 


brief  period  that  the  two  adventurers  were  employed  in 
administering  to  the  comfort  of  the  Puritan's  steed.  The 
task  was  ended,  the  carcass  of  the  slaughtered  Straight- 
Horns  had  been  secured,  and  Ruth  was  already  urging  her 
husband  to  return,  when  their  attention  was  drawn  to  the 
attitude  and  mien  of  their  companion. 

'  c  The  man  hath  departed  as  he  came,  '  '  said  Kben  Dudley, 
who  stood  shaking  his  head  in  open  doubt  before  an  empty 
stall  ;  '  *  here  is  no  beast,  though  with  these  eyes  did  I  see 
the  half-wit  bring  hither  a  well-filled  measure  of  speckled 
oats  to  feed  the  nag.  He  who  favored  us  with  his  presence 
at  the  supper  and  the  thanksgiving  hath  tired  of  his  com- 
pany before  the  hour  of  rest  had  come." 

"  The  horse  is  truly  wanting,"  said  Content  ;  "  the  man 
must  needs  be  in  exceeding  haste,  to  have  ridden  into  the 
forest  as  the  night  grew  deepest,  and  when  the  longest 
summer  day  would  scarce  bring  a  better  hack  than  that  the 
rode  to  another  Christian  dwelling.  There  is  reason  for  this 
industry,  but  it  is  enough  that  it  concerns  us  not.  We  will 
now  seek  our  rest,  in  the  certainty  that  One  watcheth  our 
slumbers  whose  vigilance  can  never  fail.  '  ' 

Though  man  could  not  trust  himself  to  sleep  in  that 
country  without  the  security  of  bars  and  bolts,  we  have 
already  had  occasion  to  say  that  property  was  guarded  with 
but  little  care.  The  stable-door  was  merely  closed  by  a 
wooden  latch,  and  the  party  returned  from  this  short  sortie, 
with  steps  that  were  a  little  quickened  by  a  sense  of  an 
uneasiness  that  beset  them  in  forms  suited  to  their  several 
characters.  But  shelter  was  at  hand,  and  it  was  speedily 
regained. 

'  '  Thou  hast  seen  nothing  ?  '  '  said  Content  to  Reuben 
Ring,  who  had  been  chosen  for  his  quick  eye,  and  a  sagacity 
that  was  as  remarkable  as  was  his  brother's  impotency  ; 
"  thou  hast  seen  nothing  at  thy  watch  ?  " 

'  '  Naught  unusual  ;  and  yet  I  like  not  yonder  billet  of 
wood,  near  to  the  fence  against  the  knoll.  If  it  were  not  so 
plainly  a  half-burnt  log,  one  might  fancy  there  is  life  in  it. 
But  when  fancy  is  at  work,  the  sight  is  keen.  Once  or 
twice  I  have  thought  it  seemed  to  be  rolling  towards  the 


Mept  of  Wisb^XotWlKIUsb  51 

brook  ;  I  am  not,  even  now,  certain  that  when  first  seen  it 
did  not  lie  eight  or  ten  feet  higher  against  the  bank." 

"  It  may  be  a  living  thing  !" 

"On  the  faith  of  a  woodman's  eye,  it  well  may  be,"  said 
Bben  Dudley ;  ' '  but  should  it  be  haunted  by  a  legion  of 
wicked  spirits,  one  may  bring  it  to  quiet  from  the  loop  at 
the  nearest  corner.  Stand  aside,  Madame  Heathcote, ' '  for 
the  character  and  wealth  of  the  proprietors  of  the  valley 
gave  Ruth  a  claim  to  this  term  of  respect  among  the  labor- 
ers ;  ' '  let  me  thrust  the  piece  through  the — stop,  there  is 
an  especial  charm  in  the  gun,  which  it  might  be  sinful  to 
waste  on  such  a  creature.  It  may  be  no  more  than  some 
sweet-toothed  bear.  I  will  answer  for  the  charge  at 
my  own  cost,  if  thou  wilt  lend  me  thy  musket,  Reuben 
Ring." 

'  *  It  shall  not  be, ' '  said  his  master  ;  ' '  one  known  to  my 
father  hath  this  night  entered  our  dwelling  and  fed  at 
our  board  ;  if  he  hath  departed  in  a  way  but  little  wont 
among  those  of  this  colony,  yet  hath  he  done  no  great 
wrong.  I  will  go  nigh,  and  examine  with  less  risk  of 
error." 

There  was,  in  this  proposal,  too  much  of  that  spirit  of 
right-doing  which  governed  all  of  those  simple  regions,  to 
meet  serious  opposition.  Content,  supported  by  Bben  Dud- 
ley, again  quitted  the  postern,  and  proceeded  directly, 
though  still  not  without  sufficient  caution,  towards  the  point 
where  the  suspicious  object  lay.  A  bend  in  the  fence  had 
first  brought  it  into  view,  for  previously  to  reaching  that 
point,  its  apparent  direction  might  for  some  distance  have 
been  taken  under  shelter  of  the  shadows  of  the  rails,  which, 
at  the  immediate  spot  where  it  was  seen,  were  turned  sud- 
denly in  a  line  with  the  eyes  of  the  spectators.  It  seemed 
as  if  the  movements  of  those  who  approached  were  watched  ; 
for  the  instant  they  left  the  defences,  the  dark  object  was 
assuredly  motionless,  even  the  keen  eye  of  Reuben  Ring 
beginning  to  doubt  whether  some  deception  of  vision  had 
not  led  him,  after  all,  to  mistake  a  billet  of  wood  for  a 
creature  of  life. 

But   Content    and  his  companion  were  not  induced  to 


52  Ube  Mept  of 


change  their  determination.  Even  when  within  fifty  feet  of 
the  object,  though  the  moon  fell  full  and  brightly  upon  the 
surface,  its  character  baffled  conjecture.  One  affirmed  it 
was  the  end  of  a  charred  log,  many  of  which  still  lay  scat- 
tered about  the  fields,  and  the  other  believed  it  to  be  some 
cringing  animal  of  the  woods.  Twice  Content  raised  his 
piece  to  fire,  and  as  often  did  he  let  it  fall,  in  reluctance  to 
do  injury  to  even  a  quadruped  of  whose  character  he  was 
ignorant.  It  is  more  than  probable  that  his  less  considerate 
and  but  half  obedient  companion  would  have  decided  the 
question  soon  after  leaving  the  postern,  had  not  the  peculiar 
contents  of  his  musket  rendered  him  delicate  of  its  uses. 

'  '  Look  to  thy  weapons,  '  '  said  the  former,  loosing  his  own 
hunting-knife  in  its  sheath.  *  '  We  will  draw  near  and  make 
certainty  of  what  is  doubtful." 

They  did  so,  and  the  gun  of  Dudley  was  thrust  rudely 
into  the  side  of  the  object  of  their  distrust,  before  it  again 
betrayed  life  or  motion.  Then,  indeed,  as  if  further  dis- 
guise was  useless,  an  Indian  lad  of  some  fifteen  years  rose 
deliberately  to  his  feet,  and  stood  before  them  in  the  sullen 
dignity  of  a  captured  warrior.  Content  hastily  seized  the 
stripling  by  an  arm,  and  followed  by  Bben,  who  occasionally 
quickened  the  footsteps  of  the  prisoner  by  an  impetus 
obtained  from  the  breech  of  his  own  musket,  they  hurriedly 
returned  within  the  defences. 

11  My  life  against  that  of  Straight-Horns,  which  is  now  of 
no  great  value,  '  '  said  Dudley,  as  he  pushed  the  last  bolt  of 
the  fastenings  into  its  socket,  "we  hear  no  more  of  this 
redskin's  companions  to-night.  I  never  knew  an  Indian 
raise  his  whoop  when  a  scout  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy." 

"  This  may  be  true,"  returned  the  other,  "  and  yet  must 
a  sleeping  household  be  guarded.  We  may  be  brought  to 
rely  on  the  overlooking  favor  of  Providence,  working  with 
the  means  of  our  own  manhood,  ere  the  sun  shall  arise." 

Content  was  a  man  of  few  words,  but  one  of  exceeding 
steadiness  and  resolution  in  moments  of  need.  He  was  per- 
fectly aware  that  an  Indian  youth,  like  him  he  had  cap- 
tured, would  not  have  been  found  in  that  place,  and  under 


tlbe  Mept  of  Mi0b*tron*Misb  53 

the  circumstances  in  which  he  was  actually  taken,  without 
a  design  of  sufficient  magnitude  to  justify  the  hazard.  The 
tender  age  of  the  stripling,  too,  forbade  the  belief  that  he 
was  unaccompanied.  But  he  silently  agreed  with  his  labor- 
ing-man, that  the  capture  would  probably  cause  the  attack, 
if  any  such  were  meditated,  to  be  deferred.  He  therefore 
instructed  his  wife  to  withdraw  into  her  chamber,  while  he 
took  measures  to  defend  the  dwelling  in  the  last  emergency. 
Without  giving  any  unnecessary  alarm,  a  measure  that 
would  have  produced  less  effect  on  an  enemy  without,  than 
the  imposing  stillness  which  now  reigned  within  the  de- 
fences, he  ordered  two  or  three  more  of  the  stoutest  of  his 
dependants  to  be  summoned  to  the  palisadoes.  A  keen 
scrutiny  was  made  into  the  state  of  all  the  different  outlets 
of  the  place  ;  muskets  were  carefully  examined  ;  charges 
were  given  to  be  watchful,  and  regular  sentinels  were  sta- 
tioned within  the  shadows  of  the  buildings,  at  points  where, 
unseen  themselves,  they  could  look  out  in  safety  upon  the 
fields. 

Content  then  took  his  captive,  with  whom  he  had  made 
no  attempt  to  exchange  a  syllable,  and  led  him  to  the  block- 
house. The  door  which  communicated  with  the  basement 
of  this  building  was  always  open,  in  readiness  for  refuge 
in  the  event  of  any  sudden  alarm.  He  entered,  caused  the 
lad  to  mount  by  a  ladder  to  the  floor  above,  and  then  with- 
drawing the  means  of  retreat,  he  turned  the  key  without,  in 
perfect  confidence  that  his  prisoner  was  secure. 

Notwithstanding  all  this  care,  morning  had  nearly  dawned 
before  the  prudent  father  and  husband  sought  his  pillow. 
His  steadiness,  however,  had  prevented  the  apprehensions, 
which  kept  his  own  eyes  and  those  of  his  gentle  partner  so 
long  open,  from  extending  beyond  the  few  whose  services 
were,  in  such  an  emergency,  deemed  indispensable  to  safety. 
Towards  the  last  watches  of  the  night,  only,  did  the  images 
of  the  scenes  through  which  they  had  just  passed  become 
dim  and  confused,  and  then  both  husband  and  wife  slept 
soundly  and  happily  without  disturbance. 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  Are  you  so  brave  ?    I'll  have  you  talked  with  anon." 

Coriolanus. 

THK  axe  and  the  brand  had  been  early  and  effectually 
used,  immediately  around    the    dwelling  of   the 
Heathcotes.     A  double  object  had  been  gained  by 
removing  most  of  the  vestiges  of  the  forest  from 
the  vicinity  of  the  buildings ;  the  necessary  improvements 
were  executed  with  greater  facility,  and,  a  consideration 
of  no    small  importance,  the    cover  which    the  American 
savage  is  known  to  seek  in  his  attacks  was  thrown  to  a 
distance  that  greatly  diminished  the  danger  of  a  surprise. 

Favored  by  the  advantage  which  had  been  obtained  by 
this  foresight,  and  by  the  brilliancy  of  a  night  that  soon 
emulated  the  brightness  of  day,  the  duty  of  Kben  Dudley 
and  of  his  associate  on  the  watch  was  rendered  easy  of  ac- 
complishment. Indeed,  so  secure  did  they  become  towards 
morning,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  capture  of  the  Indian 
lad,  that  more  than  once,  eyes  that  should  have  deen  dif- 
ferently employed,  yielded  to  the  drowsiness  of  the  hour 
and  to  habit,  or  were  only  opened  at  intervals  that  left  their 
owners  in  some  doubt  as  to  the  passage  of  the  intermediate 
time.  But  no  sooner  did  the  signs  of  day  approach,  than, 
agreeably  to  their  instructions,  the  watchers  sought  their 
beds,  and  for  an  hour  or  two  they  slept  soundly,  and  with- 
out fear. 

When  his  father  had  closed  the  prayers  of  the  morning, 
Content,  in  the  midst  of  the  assembled  family,  communi- 
cated as  many  of  the  incidents  of  the  past  night  as  in  his 
judgment  seemed  necessary.  His  discretion  limited  the 


ZTbe  Wept  of  Misb^on^Misb  55 

narrative  to  the  capture  of  the  native  youth,  and  to  the 
manner  in  which  he  had  ordered  the  watch  for  the  security 
of  the  family.  On  the  subject  of  his  own  excursion  to 
the  forest,  and  all  connected  therewith,  he  was  guardedly 
silent. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  relate  the  manner  in  which  this 
startling  information  was  received.  The  cold  and  reserved 
brow  of  the  Puritan  became  still  more  thoughtful ;  the 
young  men  looked  grave,  but  resolute  ;  the  maidens  of  the 
household  grew  pale,  shuddered,  and  whispered  hurriedly 
together;  while  the  little  Ruth  and  a  female  child  of 
nearly  her  own  age,  named  Martha,  clung  close  to  the  side 
of  the  mistress  of  the  family,  who,  having  nothing  new 
to  learn,  had  taught  herself  to  assume  the  appearance  of 
a  resolution  she  was  far  from  feeling. 

The  first  visitation  which  befell  the  listeners,  after  their 
eager  ears  had  drunk  in  the  intelligence  Content  so 
briefly  imparted,  was  a  renewal  of  the  spiritual  strivings  of 
his  father  in  the  form  of  prayer.  A  particular  petition 
was  put  up  in  quest  of  light  on  their  future  proceedings, 
for  mercy  on  all  men,  for  a  better  mind  to  those  who  wan- 
dered through  the  wilderness  seeking  victims  of  their  wrath, 
for  the  gifts  of  grace  on  the  heathen,  and  finally  for  victory 
over  all  their  carnal  enemies,  let  them  come  whence  or  in 
what  aspect  they  might. 

Fortified  by  these  additional  exercises,  old  Mark  next 
made  himself  the  master  of  all  the  signs  and  evidences  of 
the  approach  of  danger,  by  a  more  rigid  and  minute  in- 
quiry into  the  visible  circumstances  of  the  arrest  of  the 
young  savage.  Content  received  a  merited  and  grateful 
reward  for  his  prudence,  in  the  approbation  of  one  whom 
he  still  continued  to  revere  with  a  mental  dependence  little 
less  than  that  with  which  he  had  leaned  on  his  father's 
wisdom  in  the  days  of  his  childhood. 

' '  Thou  hast  done  well  and  wisely, ' '  said  his  father  ;  *  *  but 
more  remains  to  be  performed  by  thy  wisdom  and  fortitude. 
We  have  had  tidings  that  the  heathen  near  the  Provi- 
dence Plantations  are  unquiet,  and  that  they  are  lending 
their  minds  to  wicked  counsellors.  We  are  not  to  sleep  in 


56  Ube  Wept  of 


too  much  security,  because  a  forest  journey  of  a  few  days 
lies  between  their  villages  and  our  own  clearing.  Bring 
forth  the  captive  ;  I  will  question  him  on  the  matter  of  this 
visit." 

Until  now,  so  much  did  the  fears  of  all  turn  towards 
the  enemies  who  were  believed  to  be  lurking  near,  that  lit- 
tle thought  had  been  bestowed  on  the  prisoner  in  the  block- 
house. Content,  who  well  knew  the  invincible  resolution 
no  less  than  the  art,  of  an  Indian,  had  forborne  to  question 
him  when  taken  ;  for  he  believed  the  time  to  be  better 
suited  to  vigilant  action,  than  to  interrogatories  that  the 
character  of  the  boy  was  likely  to  render  perfectly  useless. 
He  now  proceeded,  however,  with  an  interest  that  began 
to  quicken  as  circumstances  rendered  its  indulgence  less 
unsuitable,  to  seek  his  captive,  in  order  to  bring  him  before 
the  searching  ordeal  of  his  father's  authority. 

The  key  of  the  lower  door  of  the  block-house  hung 
where  it  had  been  deposited  ;  the  ladder  was  replaced,  and 
Content  mounted  quietly  to  the  apartment  where  he  had 
placed  his  captive.  The  room  was  the  lowest  of  three 
that  the  building  contained,  all  being  above  that  which 
might  be  termed  its  basement.  The  latter,  having  no  ap- 
erture but  its  door,  was  a  dark,  hexagonal  space,  partly 
filled  with  such  articles  as  might  be  needed  in  the  event  of 
an  alarm,  and  which,  at  the  same  time,  were  frequently  re- 
quired for  the  purposes  of  domestic  use.  In  the  centre  of 
the  area  was  a  deep  well,  so  fitted  and  protected  by  a  wall 
of  stone,  as  to  admit  of  water  being  drawn  into  the  rooms 
above.  The  door  itself  was  of  massive  hewn  timber.  The 
squared  logs  of  the  upper  stories  projected  a  little  beyond 
the  stone-work  of  the  basement,  the  second  tier  of  the  tim- 
bers containing  a  few  loops,  out  of  which  missiles  might  be 
discharged  downwards,  on  any  assailants  that  approached 
nearer  than  should  be  deemed  safe  for  the  .security  of  the 
basement.  As  has  been  stated,  the  two  principal  stories 
were  perforated  with  long,  narrow  slits  through  the  timber, 
which  answered  the  double  purposes  of  windows  and  loop- 
holes. Though  the  apartments  were  so  evidently  arranged 
for  defence,  the  plain  domestic  furniture  they  contained  was 


mept  of  Wisb*Uon*misb  57 

suited  to  the  wants  of  the  family,  should  they  be  driven  to 
the  building  for  refuge.  There  was  also  an  apartment  in 
the  roof,  or  attic,  as  already  mentioned ;  but  it  scarcely  en- 
tered into  the  more  important  uses  of  the  block-house. 
Still,  the  advantage  which  it  received  from  its  elevation  was 
not  overlooked.  A  small  cannon,  of  a  kind  once  known 
and  much  used  under  the  name  of  grasshoppers,  had  been 
raised  to  the  place,  and  time  had  been  when  it  was  rightly 
considered  as  of  the  last  importance  to  the  safety  of  the 
inmates  of  the  dwelling.  For  some  years  its  muzzle  had 
been  seen  by  all  the  straggling  aborigines  who  visited  the 
valley,  frowning  through  one  of  these  openings  which  were 
now  converted  into  glazed  windows  ;  and  there  is  reason  to 
think,  that  the  reputation  which  the  little  piece  of  ordnance 
thus  silently  obtained  had  a  powerful  agency  in  so  long 
preserving  unmolested  the  peace  of  the  valley. 

The  word  unmolested  is  perhaps  too  strong.  More  than 
one  alarm  had  in  fact  occurred,  though  no  positive  acts  of 
violence  had  even  been  committed  within  the  limits  which 
the  Puritan  claimed  as  his  own.  On  only  one  occasion, 
however,  did  matters  proceed  so  far  that  the  veteran  had 
been  induced  to  take  his  post  in  this  warlike  attic ;  where, 
there  is  little  doubt,  had  occasion  further  offered  for  his  ser- 
vices, he  would  have  made  a  suitable  display  of  his  knowl- 
edge in  the  science  of  gunnery.  But  the  simple  history  of 
the  Wish-Ton-Wish  had  furnished  another  evidence  of  a 
political  truth  which  cannot  be  too  often  presented  to  the 
attention  of  our  countrymen ;  we  mean,  that  the  best  pre- 
servative of  peace  is  preparation  for  war.  In  the  case  be- 
fore us,  the  hostile  attitude  assumed  by  old  Mark  and  his 
dependants  had  effected  all  that  was  desirable,  without  pro- 
ceeding to  the  extremity  of  shedding  blood.  Such  peaceful 
triumphs  were  far  more  in  accordance  with  the  present 
principles  of  the  Puritan,  than  they  would  have  been  with 
the  reckless  temper  which  had  governed  his  youth.  In  the 
quaint  and  fanatical  humor  of  the  times,  he  had  held  a  fam- 
ily thanksgiving  around  the  instrument  of  their  security, 
and  from  that  moment  the  room  itself  became  a  favorite 
resorting-place  for  the  old  soldier.  Thither  he  often 


58  ZTbe  IKHept  of 


mounted,  even  in  the  hours  of  deep  night,  to  indulge  in 
those  secret  spiritual  exercises  which  formed  the  chiefest 
solace,  and  seemingly,  indeed,  the  great  employment  of 
his  life.  In  consequence  of  this  habit,  the  attic  of  the 
block-house  came  in  time  to  be  considered  sacred  to  the 
uses  of  the  master  of  the  valley.  The  care  and  thought  of 
Content  had  gradually  supplied  it  with  many  conveniences 
that  might  contribute  to  the  personal  comfort  of  his  father, 
while  the  spirit  was  engaged  in  these  mental  conflicts.  At 
length  the  old  man  was  known  to  use  the  mattress,  that 
among  other  things  it  now  contained,  and  to  pass  the  time 
between  the  setting  and  the  rising  of  the  sun  in  its  solitude. 
The  aperture  originally  cut  for  the  exhibition  of  the  grass- 
hopper had  been  glazed  ;  and  no  article  of  comfort,  which 
was  once  caused  to  mount  the  difficult  ladder  that  led  to  the 
chamber,  was  ever  seen  to  descend. 

There  was  something  in  the  austere  sanctity  of  old  Mark 
Heathcote  that  was  favorable  to  the  practices  of  an  ancho- 
rite. The  youths  of  the  dwelling  regarded  his  unbending 
brow,  and  the  undisturbed  gravity  of  the  eye  it  shadowed, 
with  a  respect  akin  to  awe.  Had  the  genuine  benevolence 
of  his  character  been  less  tried,  or  had  he  mingled  in  active 
life  at  a  later  period,  it  might  readily  have  been  his  fate  to 
have  shared  in  the  persecution  which  his  countrymen  heaped 
on  those  who  were  believed  to  deal  with  influences  it  is 
thought  impious  to  exercise.  Under  actual  circumstances, 
however,  the  sentiment  went  no  further  than  a  deep  and 
universal  reverence,  that  left  its  object,  and  the  neglected 
little  piece  of  artillery,  to  the  quiet  possession  of  an  apart- 
ment, to  invade  which  would  have  been  deemed  an  act 
bordering  on  sacrilege. 

The  business  of  Content,  on  the  occasion  which  caused 
his  present  visit  to  the  edifice  whose  history  and  description 
we  have  thought  it  expedient  thus  to  give  at  some  length, 
led  him  no  further  than  to  the  lowest  of  its  more  military 
apartments.  On  raising  the  trap  for  the  first  time  a  feeling 
of  doubt  came  over  him,  as  to  the  propriety  of  having  left 
the  boy  so  long  unsolaced  by  words  of  kindness,  or  by  deed 
of  charity.  It  was  appeased  by  observing  that  his  concern 


Ube  Mept  of  Mi0b*UotWTOsb  59 

was  awakened  in  behalf  of  one  whose  spirit  was  quite  equal 
to  sustain  greater  trials. 

The  young  Indian  stood  before  one  of  the  loops,  looking 
out  upon  that  distant  forest  in  which  he  had  so  lately 
roamed  at  liberty ,  with  a  gaze  too  riveted  to  turn  aside 
even  at  the  interruption  occasioned  by  the  presence  of  his 
captor. 

"  Come  from  thy  prison,  child,"  said  Content,  in  the  tones 
of  mildness  ;  ' '  whatever  may  have  been  thy  motive  in  lurk- 
ing around  this  dwelling,  thou  art  human,  and  must  know 
human  wants  ;  come  forth  and  receive  food  ;  none  here  will 
harm  thee. ' ' 

The  language  of  commiseration  is  universal.  Though 
the  words  of  the  speaker  were  evidently  unintelligible  to 
him  for  whose  ears  they  were  intended,  their  import  was 
conveyed  in  the  kindness  of  the  accents.  The  eyes  of  the 
boy  turned  slowly  from  the  view  of  the  woods,  and  he 
looked  his  captor  long  and  steadily  in  the  face.  Content 
now  indeed  discovered  that  he  had  spoken  in  a  language 
that  was  unknown  to  his  captive,  and  he  endeavored  by  ges- 
tures of  kindness  to  invite  the  lad  to  follow  him.  He  was 
silently  and  quietly  obeyed.  On  reaching  the  court,  how- 
ever, the  prudence  of  a  border  proprietor  in  some  degree 
overcame  his  feelings  of  compassion. 

' '  Bring  hither  yon  tether, ' '  he  said  to  Whittal  Ring,  who 
at  the  moment  was  passing  towards  the  stables  ;  ' '  here  is 
one  wild  as  the  most  untamed  of  thy  colts.  Man  is  of  our 
nature  and  of  our  spirit,  let  him  be  of  what  color  it  may 
have  pleased  Providence  to  stamp  his  features  ;  but  he  who 
would  have  a  young  savage  in  his  keeping  on  the  morrow 
must  look  sharply  to  his  limbs  to-day." 

The  lad  submitted  quietly  until  a  turn  of  the  rope  was 
passed  around  one  of  his  arms  ;  but  when  Content  was  fain  to 
complete  the  work  by  bringing  the  other  limb  into  the  same 
state  of  subjection,  the  boy  glided  from  his  grasp,  and  cast 
the  fetters  from  him  in  disdain.  This  act  of  decided  resist- 
ance was,  however,  followed  by  no  effort  to  escape.  The 
moment  his  person  was  released  from  a  confinement  which 
he  probably  considered  as  implying  distrust  of  his  ability 


60  ttbe  Mept  of 


to  endure  pain  with  the  fortitude  of  a  warrior,  the  lad 
turned  quietly  and  proudly  to  his  captor,  and,  with  an  eye 
in  which  scorn  and  haughtiness  were  alike  glowing,  seemed 
to  defy  the  fulness  of  his  anger. 

'  '  Be  it  so,  '  '  resumed  the  equal-minded  Content,  '  '  if  thou 
likest  not  the  bonds  which,  notwithstanding  the  pride  of 
man,  are  often  healthful  to  the  body,  keep  then  the  use  of 
thy  limbs,  and  see  that  they  do  no  mischief.  Whittal,  look 
thou  to  the  postern,  and  remember  it  is  forbidden  to  go 
afield  until  my  father  hath  had  this  heathen  under  exam- 
ination. The  cub  is  seldom  found  far  from  the  cunning  of 
the  aged  bear.  '  ' 

He  then  made  a  sign  to  the  boy  to  follow,  and  proceeded 
to  the  apartment  where  his  father,  surrounded  by  most  of 
the  family,  awaited  their  coming.  Uncompromising  do- 
mestic discipline  was  one  of  the  striking  characteristics  of 
the  sway  of  the  Puritans.  The  austerity  of  manner  which 
was  thought  to  mark  a  sense  of  a  fallen  and  probationary 
state  was  early  taught  ;  for,  among  a  people  who  deemed 
all  mirth  a  sinful  levity,  the  practice  of  self-command  would 
readily  come  to  be  esteemed  the  basis  of  virtue.  But 
whatever  might  have  been  the  peculiar  merit  of  Mark 
Heathcote  and  his  household  in  this  particular,  it  was  likely 
to  be  exceeded  by  the  exhibition  of  the  same  quality  in 
the  youth  who  had  so  strangely  become  their  captive. 

We  have  already  said  that  this  child  of  the  woods  might 
have  seen  some  fifteen  years.  Though  he  had  shot  upwards 
like  a  vigorous  and  thrifty  plant,  and  with  the  freedom  of  a 
thriving  sapling  in  his  native  forests,  rearing  its  branches 
towards  the  light,  his  stature  had  not  yet  reached  that  of 
man.  In  height,  form,  and  attitudes,  he  was  a  model  of 
active,  natural,  and  graceful  boyhood.  But  while  his  limbs 
were  so  fair  in  their  proportions,  they  were  scarcely  muscu- 
lar ;  still  every  movement  exhibited  a  freedom  and  ease 
which  announced  the  grace  of  childhood,  without  the  small- 
est evidence  of  that  restraint  which  creeps  into  our  air  as 
the  factitious  feelings  of  later  life  begin  to  assert  their  in- 
fluence. The  smooth,  rounded  trunk  of  the  mountain  ash  is 
not  more  upright  and  free  from  blemish  than  was  the  figure 


TKHept  of  Misb*Uon*Wisb  61 


of  the  boy,  who  moved  into  the  curious  circle  that  opened 
for  his  entrance,  and  closed  against  his  retreat,  with  the 
steadiness  of  one  who  came  to  bestow  instead  of  appearing 
to  receive  judgment. 

' '  I  will  question  him, ' '  said  old  Mark  Heathcote,  atten- 
tively regarding  the  keen  and  settled  eye  that  met  his  long, 
stern  gaze,  as  steadily  as  a  less  intelligent  creature  of  the 
woods  would  return  the  look  of  man.  "I  will  question 
him ;  and  perchance  fear  will  wring  from  his  lips  a  confes- 
sion of  the  evil  that  he  and  his  have  meditated  against  me 
and  mine." 

"  I  think  he  is  ignorant  of  our  forms  of  speech,"  returned 
Content ;  ' '  for  the  words  of  neither  kindness  nor  anger  will 
force  him  to  a  change  of  feature." 

"  It  is  then  meet  that  we  commence  by  asking  Him  who 
hath  the  secret  to  open  all  hearts  to  be  our  assistant."  The 
Puritan  then  raised  his  voice  in  a  short  and  exceedingly 
particular  petition,  in  which  he  implored  the  Ruler  of  the 
Universe  to  interpret  his  meaning  in  the  forthcoming  ex- 
amination, in  a  manner  that,  had  his  request  been  granted, 
would  -have  savored  not  a  little  of  the  miraculous.  With 
this  preparation  he  proceeded  directly  to  his  task.  But 
neither  questions,  signs,  nor  prayer  produced  the  slightest 
visible  effect.  The  boy  gazed  at  the  rigid  and  austere 
countenance  of  his  interrogator,  while  the  words  were 
issuing  from  his  lips ;  but  the  instant  they  ceased,  his 
searching  and  quick  eye  rolled  over  the  different  curious 
faces  by  which  he  was  hemmed  in,  as  if  he  trusted  more 
to  the  sense  of  sight  than  that  of  hearing,  for  the  informa- 
tion he  naturally  sought  concerning  his  future  lot.  It  was 
found  impossible  to  obtain  from  him  gesture  or  sound  that 
should  betray  either  the  purport  of  his  questionable  visit, 
his  own  personal  appellation,  or  that  of  his  tribe. 

"I  have  been  among  the  redskins  of  the  Providence 
Plantations,"  Kben  Dudley  at  length  ventured  to  observe; 
"and  their  language,  though  but  a  crooked  and  irrational 
jargon,  is  not  unknown  to  me.  With  the  leave  of  all  pres- 
ent," he  continued,  regarding  the  Puritan  in  a  manner  to 
betray  that  this  general  term  meant  him  alone,  * '  with  the 


62  irbe  Wept  of 


leave  of  all  present,  I  will  put  it  to  the  younker  in  such  a 
fashion  that  he  will  be  glad  to  answer.  '  ' 

Receiving  a  look  of  assent  the  borderer  uttered  certain  un- 
couth and  guttural  sounds,  which,  notwithstanding  they  en- 
tirely failed  of  their  effect,  he  stoutly  maintained  were  the 
ordinary  terms  of  salutation  among  the  people  to  whom  the 
prisoner  was  supposed  to  belong. 

"I  know  him  to  be  a  Narragansett,  "  continued  Eben, 
reddening  with  vexation  at  his  defeat,  and  throwing  a  glance 
of  no  peculiar  amity  at  the  youth  who  had  so  palpably  re- 
futed his  claim  to  skill  in  the  Indian  tongues  ;  '  '  you  see  he 
hath  the  shells  of  the  sea-side  worked  into  the  bordering  of 
his  moccasins  ;  and  besides  this  sign,  which  is  certain  as 
that  night  hath  its  stars,  he  beareth  the  look  of  a  chief  that 
was  slain  by  the  Pequots,  at  the  wish  of  us  Christians,  after 
an  affair  in  which,  whether  it  was  well  done  or  ill  done,  I 
did  some  part  of  the  work  myself." 

"  And  how  call  you  that  chief?  "  demanded  Mark. 

'  '  Why,  he  had  various  names,  according  to  the  busi- 
ness he  was  on.  To  some  he  was  known  as  the  Leaping 
Panther,  for  he  was  a  man  of  an  extraordinary  jump  ;  and 
others  again  used  to  style  him  Pepperage,  since  there  was 
a  saying  that  neither  bullet  nor  sword  could  enter  his  body  ; 
though  that  was  a  mistake,  as  his  death  hath  fully  proven. 
But  his  real  name,  according  to  the  uses  and  sounds  of  his 
own  people,  was  My  Anthony  Mow." 

"  My  Anthony  Mow  !  " 

"  Yes  ;  My,  meaning  that  he  was  their  chief;  Anthony, 
being  the  given  name  ;  and  Mow,  that  of  the  breed  of 
which  he  came;  "  rejoined  Eben  with  confidence,  satisfied 
that  he  had  finally  produced  a  sufficiently  sonorous  appel- 
lative and  a  perfectly  lucid  etymology.  But  criticism  was 
diverted  from  its  aim  by  the  action  of  the  prisoner,  as 
these  equivocal  sounds  struck  his  ear.  Ruth  recoiled,  and 
clasped  her  little  namesake  closer  to  her  side,  when  she 
saw  the  dazzling  brightness  of  his  glowing  eyes,  and  the 
sudden  and  expressive  dilation  of  his  nostrils.  For  a  mo- 
ment his  lips  were  compressed  with  more  than  the  usual 
force  of  Indian  gravity,  and  then  they  slightly  severed. 


Wept  of  OTisb=aon=*TKIiisb  63 

A  low,  soft,  and,  as  even  the  startled  matron  was  obliged 
to  confess,  a  plaintive  sound  issued  from  between  them, 
repeating  mournfully,— 

'  *  Miantonimoh  ! ' ' 

The  word  was  uttered  with  a  distinct  but  deepty  guttural 
enunciation. 

'  *  The  child  mourneth  for  its  parent, ' '  exclaimed  the  sensi- 
tive mother.  * '  The  hand  that  slew  the  warrior  may  have 
done  an  evil  deed." 

c '  I  see  the  evident  and  foreordering  will  of  a  wise 
Providence  in  this,"  said  Mark  Heathcote  with  solemnity. 
' '  The  youth  hath  been  deprived  of  one  who  might  have 
enticed  him  still  deeper  into  the  bonds  of  the  heathen,  and 
hither  hath  he  been  led  in  order  to  be  placed  upon  the 
straight  and  narrow  path.  He  shall  become  a  dweller 
among  mine,  and  we  will  strive  against  the  evil  of  his  mind 
until  instruction  shall  prevail.  L,et  him  be  fed  and  nurtured 
equally  with  the  things  of  life  and  the  things  of  the  world ; 
for  who  knoweth  that  which  is  designed  in  his  behalf  ? ' ' 

If  there  were  more  of  faith  than  of  rational  conclusion 
in  this  opinion  of  the  old  Puritan,  there  was  no  external 
evidence  to  contradict  it.  While  the  examination  of  the 
boy  was  going  on  in  the  dwelling,  a  keen  scrutiny  had 
taken  place  in  the  out-buildings,  and  in  the  adjacent  fields. 
Those  engaged  in  this  duty  soon  returned,  to  say  that  not 
the  smallest  trace  of  an  ambush  was  visible  about  the 
place ;  and  as  the  captive  himself  had  no  weapons  of 
hostility,  even  Ruth  began  to  hope  that  the  mysterious 
conceptions  of  her  father  on  the  subject  were  not  entirely 
delusive.  The  captive  was  now  fed,  and  old  Mark  was 
on  the  point  of  making  a  proper  beginning  in  the  task  he 
had  so  gladly  assumed,  by  an  up-offering  of  thanks,  when 
Whittal  Ring  broke  rudely  into  the  room,  and  disturbed 
the  solemnity  of  his  preparation  by  a  sudden  and  boisterous 
outcry. 

"Away  with  scythe  and  sickle,"  shouted  the  witling; 
"it's  many  a  day  since  the  fields  of  Wish-Ton-Wish  have 
been  trodden  down  by  horsemen  in  buff  jerkins,  or  am- 
bushed by  creeping  Wampanoags." 


64  ZTbe  Wept  ot 


1  '  There  is  danger  at  hand  !  '  '  exclaimed  the  sensitive 
Ruth.  "  Husband,  the  warning  was  timely." 

'  '  Here  are  truly  some  riding  from  the  forest,  and  draw- 
ing nigh  to  the  dwelling  ;  but  as  they  are  seemingly  men 
of  our  kind  and  faith,  we  have  need  rather  of  rejoicing 
than  terror.  They  bear  the  air  of  messengers  from  the 
river.  '  ' 

Mark  Heathcote  listened  with  surprise,  and  perhaps  with 
a  momentary  uneasiness  ;  but  all  emotion  passed  away  on 
the  instant,  for  one  so  disciplined  in  mind  rarely  permitted 
any  outward  exposure  of  his  secret  thoughts.  The  Puritan 
calmly  issued  an  order  to  replace  the  prisoner  in  the  block- 
house, assigning  the  upper  of  the  two  principal  floors  for 
his  keeping  ;  and  then  he  prepared  himself  to  receive 
guests  that  were  little  wont  to  disturb  the  quiet  of  his 
secluded  valley.  He  was  still  in  the  act  of  giving  forth 
the  necessary  mandates,  when  the  tramp  of  horses  was 
heard  in  the  court,  and  he  was  summoned  to  the  door  to 
greet  his  unknown  visitors. 

"We  have  reached  Wish-Ton-Wish,  and  the  dwelling 
of  Captain  Mark  Heathcote,"  said  one,  who  appeared,  by 
his  air  and  better  attire,  to  be  the  principal  of  four  that 
composed  the  party. 

1  '  By  the  favor  of  Providence,  I  call  myself  the  unworthy 
owner  of  this  place  of  refuge." 

"  Then  a  subject  so  loyal,  and  a  man  who  hath  so  long 
proved  himself  faithful  in  the  wilderness,  will  not  turn  from 
his  door  the  agents  of  his  anointed  Master.  '  ' 

'  '  There  is  One  greater  than  any  of  earth  who  hath  taught 
us  to  leave  the  latch  free.  I  pray  you  to  alight,  and  to 
partake  of  that  we  can  offer." 

With  this  courteous  but  quaint  explanation  the  horsemen 
dismounted  ;  and,  giving  their  steeds  into  the  keeping  of 
the  laborers  of  the  farm,  they  entered  the  dwelling. 

While  the  maidens  of  Ruth  were  preparing  a  repast  suited 
to  the  hour  and  to  the  quality  of  the  guests,  Mark  and  his 
son  had  abundant  opportunity  to  examine  the  appearance  of 
the  strangers.  They  were  men  who  seemed  to  wear  visages 
peculiarly  adapted  to  the  characters  of  their  entertainers, 


mept  of  TOtsb*acm*Wisb  65 

being  in  truth  so  singularly  demure  and  grave  in  aspect,  as 
to  excite  some  suspicion  of  their  being  newly  converted 
zealots  to  the  mortifying  customs  of  the  colony.  Notwith- 
standing their  extraordinary  gravity,  and  contrary  to  the 
usages  of  those  regions,  too,  they  bore  about  their  persons 
certain  evidence  of  being  used  to  the  fashions  of  the  other 
hemisphere.  The  pistols  attached  to  their  saddle-bows,  and 
other  accoutrements  of  a  warlike  aspect,  would  perhaps  have 
attracted  no  observation,  had  they  not  been  accompanied  by 
a  fashion  in  the  doublet,  the  hat,  and  the  boot,  that  denoted 
a  greater  intercourse  with  the  mother  country  than  was 
usual  among  the  less  sophisticated  natives  of  those  regions. 
None  traversed  the  forests  without  the  means  of  defence ; 
but,  on  the  other  hand,  few  wore  the  hostile  implements  with 
so  much  of  a  worldly  air,  or  with  so  many  minor  particu- 
larities of  some  recent  caprice  in  fashion.  As  they  had, 
however,  announced  themselves  to  be  officers  of  the  king, 
they  who  of  necessity  must  be  chiefly  concerned  in  the  object 
of  their  visit  patiently  awaited  the  pleasure  of  the  strangers, 
to  learn  why  duty  had  called  them  so  far  from  all  the  more 
ordinary  haunts  of  men  ;  for,  like  the  native  owners  of  the 
soil,  the  self-restrained  religionists  appeared  to  reckon  an 
indiscreet  haste  in  anything  among  the  more  unmanly  weak- 
nesses. Nothing  for  the  first  half-hour  of  their  visit  escaped 
the  guarded  lips  of  men  evidently  well  skilled  in  their 
present  duty,  which  might  lead  to  a  clue  of  its  purport. 
The  morning  meal  passed  almost  without  discourse,  and  one 
of  the  party  had  arisen  with  the  professed  object  of  looking 
to  their  steeds,  before  he  who  seemed  the  chief  led  the  con- 
versation to  a  subject  that  by  its  political  bearing  might,  in 
some  degree,  be  supposed  to  have  a  remote  connection  with 
the  principal  object  of  his  journey  to  that  sequestered  valley. 

"  Have  the  tidings  of  the  gracious  boon  that  hath  lately 
flowed  from  the  favor  of  the  king  reached  this  distant  set- 
tlement?" asked  the  principal  personage,  one  that  wore  a 
far  less  military  air  than  a  younger  companion,  who,  by  his 
confident  mien,  appeared  to  be  the  second  in  authority. 

"  To  what  boon  hath  thy  words  import  ?  "  demanded  the 
Puritan,  turning  a  glance  of  the  eye  at  his  son  and  daughter, 


66  Ube  Wept  of 


together  with  the  others  in  hearing,  as  if  to  admonish  them 
to  be  prudent. 

'  '  I  speak  of  the  royal  charter  by  which  the  people  on  the 
banks  of  the  Connecticut,  and  they  of  the  Colony  of  New 
Haven,  are  henceforth  permitted  to  unite  in  government  ; 
granting  them  liberty  of  conscience,  and  great  freedom  of 
self-control." 

*  '  Such  a  gift  were  worthy  of    a  king  !     Hath  Charles 
done  this?" 

*  '  That  hath  he,  and  much  more  that  is  fitting  in  a  kind 
and  royal  mind.     The  realm  is  finally  freed  from  the  abuses 
of  usurpers,  and  power  now  resteth  in  the  hands  of  a  race 
long  set  apart  for  its  privileges." 

"  It  is  to  be  wished  that  practice  shall  render  them  ex- 
pert and  sage  in  its  uses,"  rejoined  Mark,  somewhat  dryly. 

11  It  is  a  merry  prince!  and  one  but  little  given  to  the 
study  and  exercises  of  his  martyred  father  ;  but  he  hath 
great  cunning  in  discourse,  and  few  around  his  dread  person 
have  keener  wit  or  more  ready  tongue." 

Mark  bowed  his  head  in  silence,  seemingly  little  disposed 
to  push  the  discussion  of  his  earthly  master's  qualities  to  a 
conclusion  that  might  prove  offensive  to  so  loyal  an  admirer. 
One  inclining  to  suspicion  would  have  seen,  or  thought  he 
saw,  certain  equivocal  glances  from  the  stranger,  while  he 
was  thus  lauding  the  vivacious  qualities  of  the  restored 
monarch,  which  should  denote  a  desire  to  detect  how  far 
the  eulogiums  might  be  grateful  to  his  host.  He  acquiesced, 
however,  in  the  wishes  of  the  Puritan,  though  whether 
understandingly,  or  without  design,  it  would  have  been 
difficult  to  say,  and  submitted  to  change  the  discourse. 

"  It  is  likely,  by  thy  presence,  that  tidings  have  reached 
the  colonies  from  home,"  said  Content,  who  understood,  by 
the  severe  and  reserved  expression  of  his  father's  features, 
that  it  was  a  fitting  time  for  him  to  interpose. 

"  There  is  one  arrived  in  the  Bay,  within  the  month,  by 
means  of  a  king's  frigate  ;  but  no  trader  hath  yet  passed 
between  the  countries,  except  the  ship  which  maketh  the 
annual  voyage  from  Bristol  to  Boston." 

''And  he  who  hath  arrived  —  doth  he  come  in  authority  ?  " 


Ube  TMept  of 


demanded  Mark  ;  "or  is  he  merely  another  servant  of  the 
I,ord,  seeking  to  rear  his  tabernacle  in  the  wilderness?  " 

* '  Thou  shalt  know  the  nature  of  his  errand, ' '  returned 
the  stranger,  casting  a  glance  of  malicious  intelligence 
obliquely  towards  his  companions,  at  the  same  time  that  he 
arose  and  placed  in  the  hand  of  his  host  a  commission  which 
evidently  bore  the  seal  of  state.  * '  It  is  expected  that  all  aid 
will  be  given  to  one  bearing  this  warranty,  by  a  subject 
of  a  loyalty  so  approved  as  that  of  Captain  Mark  Heath- 
cote." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

"But,  by  your  leave, 
I  am  an  officer  of  state,  and  come 
To  speak  with — " 

Coriolanus. 

N"  OTWITHSTANDING  the  sharp  look  which  the 
messenger  of  the  crown   deliberately  and  now 
openly  fastened  on  the  master  of  Wish-Ton-Wish, 
while  the  latter  was  reading  the  instrument  that 
was  placed  before  his  eyes,  there  was  no  evidence  of  un- 
easiness to    be    detected  in  the  unmoved  features  of  the 
latter.     Mark  Heathcote  had  too  long  schooled  his  passions 
to  suffer  an  unseemly  manifestation  of  surprise  to  escape 
him  ;  and  he  was  by  nature  a  man  of  far  too  much  nerve  to 
betray  alarm  at  any  trifling  exhibition  of  danger.     Return- 
ing the  parchment  to  the  other,  he  said  with  unmoved  calm- 
ness to  his  son, — 

4 'We  must  open  wide  the  doors  of  Wish-Ton-Wish. 
Here  is  one  charged  with  authority  to  look  into  the  secrets 
of  all  the  dwellings  of  the  colony."  Then,  turning  with 
dignity  to  the  agent  of  the  crown,  he  added,  ' '  Thou  hadst 
better  commence  thy  duty  in  season,  for  we  are  many  and 
occupy  much  space. ' ' 

The  face  of  the  stranger  flushed  a  little,  it  might  have 
been  with  shame  for  the  vocation  in  which  he  had  come  so 
far,  or  it  might  have  been  in  resentment  at  so  direct  a  hint 
that  the  sooner  his  disagreeable  office  should  be  ended,  the 
better  it  would  please  his  host.  Still,  he  betrayed  no  in- 
tention of  shrinking  from  its  performance.  On  the  con- 
trary, discarding  somewhat  of  that  subdued  manner  which 

68 


IKHept  of  Wisb*Uon*Misb  69 

he  had  probably  thought  it  politic  to  assume,  while  sound- 
ing the  opinions  of  one  so  rigid,  he  broke  out  rather  suddenly 
in  the  exhibition  of  a  humor  somewhat  better  suited  to  the 
tastes  of  whom  he  served. 

"Come,  then,"  he  cried,  winking  at  his  companions, 
4  *  since  doors  are  opened,  it  would  speak  ill  of  our  breeding 
should  we  refuse  to  enter.  Captain  Heathcote  has  been  a 
soldier,  and  he  knows  how  to  excuse  a  traveller's  freedom. 
Surely  one  who  has  tasted  of  the  pleasures  of  the  camp 
must  weary  at  times  of  this  sylvan  life  ?  ' ' 

' '  The  steadfast  in  faith  weary  not,  though  the  road  be 
long  and  the  wayfaring  grievous." 

"Hum — 'tis  pity  that  the  journeying  between  merry 
England  and  these  colonies  is  not  more  brisk.  I  do  not 
presume  to  instruct  a  gentleman  who  is  my  senior,  and 
peradventure  my  better  ;  but  opportunity  is  everything  in 
a  man's  fortunes.  It  were  charity  to  let  you  know,  worthy 
sir,  that  opinions  have  changed  at  home  ;  it  is  full  a  twelve- 
month since  I  have  heard  a  line  of  the  Psalms,  or  a  verse 
of  St.  Paul  quoted,  in  discourse  ;  at  least  by  men  who  are 
at  all  esteemed  for  their  discretion." 

"This  change  in  the  fashion  of  speech  may  better  suit 
thy  earthly  than  thy  heavenly  master, ' '  said  Mark  Heath- 
cote,  sternly. 

"Well,  well,  that  peace  may  exist  between  us,  we  will 
not  bandy  words  about  a  text  more  or  less,  if  we  may  es- 
cape the  sermon,"  rejoined  the  stranger,  no  longer  affecting 
restraint,  but  laughing  with  sufficient  freedom  at  his  own 
conceit ;  a  species  of  enjoyment  in  which  his  companions 
mingled  with  great  good-will,  and  without  much  deference 
to  the  humor  of  those  under  whose  roof  they  found  them- 
selves. 

A  small  glowing  spot  appeared  on  the  pale  cheek  of  the 
Puritan,  and  disappeared  again,  like  some  transient  decep- 
tion produced  by  the  play  of  light.  Even  the  meek  eye  of 
Content  kindled  at  the  insult ;  but,  like  his  father,  the 
practise  of  self-denial,  and  a  never-slumbering  consciousness 
of  his  own  imperfections,  smothered  the  momentary  exhibi- 
tion of  displeasure. 


Ube  Mept  of 


4  '  If  thou  hast  authority  to  look  into  the  secret  places  of 
our  habitations,  do  thy  office,"  he  said,  with  a  peculiarity 
of  tone  which  served  to  remind  the  other,  that  though  he 
bore  the  commission  of  the  Stuart,  he  was  in  an  extremity 
of  his  empire,  where  even  the  authority  of  a  king  lost  some 
of  its  value. 

Affecting  to  be,  and  possibly  in  reality  conscious  of  his 
indiscretion,  the  stranger  hastily  disposed  himself  to  the 
execution  of  his  duty. 

*  *  It  would  be  a  great  and  a  pain-saving  movement,  '  '   he 
said,  "were  we  to  assemble  the  household  in  one  apart- 
ment.    The  government  at  home  would  be  glad  to  hear 
something  of  the  quality  of  its  lieges  in  this  distant  quarter. 
Thou  hast  doubtless  a  bell  to  summon  the  flock  at  stated 
periods." 

'  '  Our  people  are  yet  near  the  dwelling,  '  '  returned  Con- 
tent ;  '  '  if  it  be  thy  pleasure,  none  shall  be  absent  from  the 
search." 

Gathering  from  the  eye  of  the  other  that  he  was  serious 
in  this  wish,  the  quiet  colonist  proceeded  to  the  gate,  and, 
placing  a  shell  to  his  mouth,  blew  one  of  those  blasts  that 
are  so  often  heard  in  the  forests  summoning  families  to 
their  homes,  and  which  are  alike  used  as  the  signals  of 
peaceful  recall,  or  of  alarm.  The  sound  soon  brought  all 
within  hearing  to  the  court,  whither  the  Puritan  and  his 
unpleasant  guests  now  repaired  as  to  the  spot  best  suited  to 
the  purposes  of  the  latter. 

*  '  Hallam,  '  '  said  the  principal  personage  of  the  four  vis- 
itors, addressing  him  who  might  once  have  been,  if  he  were 
not  still,  some  subaltern  in  the  forces  of  the  crown,  for  he 
was  attired  in  a  manner  that  bespoke  him  but  a  half-dis- 
guised dragoon,  "I  leave  thee  to  entertain  this  goodly  as- 
semblage.    Thou  mayst  pass  the  time  in  discoursing  on  the 
vanities  of  the  world,   of  which  I  believe  few  are  better 
qualified  to  speak  understandingly  than  thyself;  or  a  few 
words  of  admonition  to  hold  fast  to  the  faith  would  come 
with  fitting  weight  from  thy  lips.     But  look  to  it,  that  none 
of  thy  flock  wander  ;  for  here  must  every  creature  of  them 
remain,  stationary  as  the  indiscreet  partner  of  L,ot,  till  I 


TPdtept  of  Mfsb^on^Mteb  7* 

have  cast  an  eye  into  all  the  cunning  places  of  their  abode. 
So  set  wit  to  work,  and  show  thy  breeding  as  an  enter- 
tainer." 

After  this  irreverent  charge  to  his  subordinate,  the 
speaker  signified  to  Content  and  his  father  that  he  and  his 
remaining  attendant  would  proceed  to  a  more  minute 
examination  of  the  premises. 

When  Mark  Heathcote  saw  that  the  man  who  had  so  rudely 
broken  in  upon  the  peaceful  habits  of  his  family  was  ready 
to  proceed,  he  advanced  steadily  in  his  front,  like  one  who 
boldly  invited  inquiry,  and  by  a  grave  gesture  desired  him  to 
follow.  The  stranger,  perhaps  as  much  from  habit  as  from 
any  settled  design,  first  cast  a  free  glance  around  at  the 
bevy  of  fluttered  maidens,  leered  even  upon  the  modest  and 
meek-eyed  Ruth  herself,  and  then  took  the  direction  indi- 
cated by  him  who  had  so  unhesitatingly  assumed  the  office 
of  a  guide. 

The  object  of  this  examination  still  remained  a  secret  be- 
tween those  who  made  it  and  the  Puritan,  who  had  prob- 
ably found  its  motive  in  the  written  warranty  which  had 
been  submitted  to  his  inspection.  That  it  proceeded  from 
fitting  authority,  none  might  doubt ;  and  that  it  was  in  some 
manner  connected  with  the  events  that  were  known  to  have 
wrought  so  sudden  and  so  great  a  change  in  the  government 
of  the  mother  country,  all  believed  probable.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  seeming  mystery  of  the  procedure,  the  search  was 
not  the  less  rigid.  Few  habitations  of  any  size  or  pretension 
were  erected  in  those  times  which  did  not  contain  certain 
secret  places,  where  valuables  and  even  persons  might  be 
concealed,  at  need.  The  strangers  displayed  great  famili- 
arity with  the  nature  and  ordinary  positions  of  these  private 
recesses.  Not  a  chest,  a  closet,  nor  even  a  drawer  of  size, 
escaped  their  vigilance  ;  nor  was  there  a  plank  that  sounded 
hollow,  but  the  master  of  the  valley  was  called  on  to  explain 
the  cause.  In  one  or  two  instances,  boards  were  wrested 
violently  from  their  fastenings,  and  the  cavities  beneath 
were  explored,  with  a  wariness  that  increased  as  the  investi- 
gation proceeded  without  success. 

The  strangers  appeared  irritated  by  their  failure.     An 


72  Ube  Wept  of 


hour  passed  in  the  keenest  scrutiny,  and  nothing  had  trans- 
pired which  brought  them  any  nearer  to  their  object.  That 
they  had  commenced  the  search  with  more  than  usually  con- 
fident anticipations  of  a  favorable  result,  might  have  been 
gathered  from  the  boldness  of  tone  assumed  by  their  chief, 
and  the  pointed  personal  allusions  in  which,  from  time  to 
time,  he  indulged,  often  too  freely,  and  always  at  some  ex- 
pense to  the  loyalty  of  the  Heathcotes.  But  when  he  had 
completed  the  circuit  of  the  buildings,  having  entered  all 
parts  from  their  cellars  to  the  garrets,  his  spleen  became  so 
strong  as,  in  some  degree,  to  get  the  better  of  a  certain  parade 
of  discretion,  which  he  had  hitherto  managed  to  maintain  in 
the  midst  of  all  his  levity. 

"  Hast  seen  nothing,  Mr.  Hallam?  "  he  demanded,  of  the 
individual  left  on  watch,  as  they  crossed  the  court  in  retir- 
ing from  the  last  of  the  out-buildings  ;  *  '  or  have  those 
traces  which  led  us  to  this  distant  settlement  proved  false  ? 
Captain  Heathcote,  you  have  seen  that  we  come  not  with- 
out sufficient  warranty,  and  it  is  in  my  power  to  say  we 
come  not  without  sufficient  —  '  ' 

Checking  himself,  as  if  about  to  utter  more  than  was 
prudent,  he  suddenly  cast  an  eye  on  the  block-house,  and 
demanded  its  uses. 

1  *  It  is,  as  thou  seest,  a  building  erected  for  the  purposes 
of  defence,"  replied  Mark;  "  one  to  which,  in  the  event  of 
an  inroad  of  the  savages,  the  family  may  fly  for  refuge.  '  ' 

'  '  Ah  !  these  citadels  are  not  unknown  to  me.  I  have  met 
with  others  during  my  journey,  but  none  so  formidable  or 
so  military  as  this.  It  hath  a  soldier  for  its  governor,  and 
should  hold  out  for  a  reasonable  siege.  Being  a  place  of  pre- 
tension, we  will  look  closer  into  its  mystery." 

He  then  signified  an  intention  to  close  the  search  by  an 
examination  of  this  edifice.  Content  unhesitatingly  threw 
open  its  door,  and  invited  him  to  enter. 

1  '  On  the  word  of  one  who,  though  now  engaged  in  a  more 
peaceful  calling,  has  been  a  campaigner  in  his  time,  't  would 
be  no  child's  play  to  carry  this  tower  without  artillery.  Had 
thy  spies  given  notice  of  our  approach,  Captain  Heathcote, 
the  entrance  might  have  been  more  difficult  than  we  now 


Wept  of  wtsb^zron^iOitBD  73 

find  it.  We  have  a  ladder  here !  Where  the  means  of 
mounting  are  found  there  must  be  something  to  tempt  one 
to  ascend.  I  will  taste  your  forest  air  from  an  upper 
room." 

' '  You  will  find  the  apartment  above  like  this  below, 
merely  provided  for  the  security  of  the  unoffending  dwellers 
of  the  habitations,"  said  Content;  while  he  quietly  ar- 
ranged the  ladder  before  the  trap,  and  then  led  the  way 
himself  to  the  floor  above. 

* '  Here  have  we  loops  for  the  musketoons, ' '  cried  the 
stranger,  looking  about  him  understandingly ,  ' '  and  reason- 
able defences  against  shot.  Thou  hast  not  forgotten  thy  art, 
Captain  Heathcote,  and  I  consider  myself  fortunate  in  hav- 
ing entered  thy  fortress  by  surprise,  or  I  should  rather  say, 
in  amity,  since  the  peace  is  not  yet  broken  between  us.  But 
why  have  we  so  much  of  household  gear  in  a  place  so  evi- 
dently equipped  for  war  ?  ' ' 

' '  Thou  forgettest  that  women  and  children  may  be  driven 
to  this  block  for  a  residence, ' '  replied  Content.  ' '  It  would 
show  little  discretion  to  neglect  matters  that  might  be  useful 
to  their  wants." 

"Is  there  trouble  with  the  savages?"  demanded  the 
stranger,  a  little  quickly  ;  "  the  gossips  of  the  colony  bade 
us  fear  nothing  on  that  hand. ' ' 

* '  One  cannot  say  at  what  hour  creatures  trained  in  their 
wild  nature  may  choose  to  rise.  The  dwellers  on  the  borders 
therefore  never  neglect  a  fitting  caution. ' ' 

"  Hist !  "  interrupted  the  stranger;  "  I  hear  a  footstep 
above.  Ha !  the  scent  will  prove  true  at  last !  Hilloa, 
Master  Hallam  !  "  he  cried,  from  one  of  the  loops  ;  "let  thy 
statues  of  salt  dissolve,  and  come  hither  to  the  tower.  Here 
is  work  for  a  regiment,  for  well  do  we  know  the  nature  of 
that  we  are  to  deal  with." 

The  sentinel  in  the  court  shouted  to  his  companion  in  the 
stables ;  and  then  openly  and  boisterously  exulting  in  the 
prospects  of  a  final  success  to  a  search  which  had  hitherto 
given  them  useless  employment  throughout  many  a  long 
day  and  weary  ride,  they  rushed  together  to  the  block- 
house. 


74  TTbe  Wept  of 


"Now,  worthy  lieges  of  a  gracious  master,"  said  the 
leader,  when  he  perceived  himself  backed  by  all  his  armed 
followers,  and  speaking  with  the  air  of  a  man  flushed  with 
success,  ' '  now  quickly  provide  the  means  of  mounting  to 
the  upper  story.  I  have  thrice  heard  the  tread  of  man, 
moving  across  that  floor ;  though  it  hath  been  light  and  wary, 
the  planks  are  tell-tales,  and  have  not  had  their  schooling." 

Content  heard  the  request,  which  was  uttered  sufficiently 
in  the  manner  of  an  order,  perfectly  unmoved.  Without 
betraying  either  hesitation  or  concern  he  disposed  himself  to 
comply.  Drawing  the  light  ladder  through  the  trap  below, 
he  placed  it  against  the  one  above  him,  and  ascending,  he 
raised  the  door.  He  then  returned  to  the  floor  beneath, 
making  a  quiet  gesture  to  imply  that  they  who  chose  might 
mount.  But  the  strangers  regarded  each  other  with  very 
visible  doubts.  Neither  of  the  inferiors  seemed  disposed  to 
precede  his  chief,  and  the  latter  evidently  hesitated  as  to  the 
order  in  which  it  was  meet  to  make  the  necessary  advance. 

"  Is  there  no  other  manner  of  mounting  but  by  this  nar- 
row ascent  ?  "  he  asked. 

* '  None.  Thou  wilt  find  the  ladder  secure,  and  of  no 
difficult  height.  It  is  intended  for  the  use  of  women  and 
children." 

"Ay,"  muttered  the  officer  ;  "  but  your  women  and  chil- 
dren are  not  called  upon  to  confront  the  devil  in  a  human 
form.  Fellows,  are  thy  weapons  in  serviceable  condition  ? 
Here  may  be  need  of  spirit  ere  we  get  our —  Hist !  by  the 
Divine  Right  of  our  Gracious  Master !  there  is  truly  one 
stirring  above.  Harkee,  my  friend  ;  thou  knowest  the  road 
so  well  we  will  choose  to  follow  thy  conduct." 

Content,  who  seldom  permitted  ordinary  events  to  disturb 
the  equanimity  of  his  temper,  quietly  assented,  and  led  the 
way  up  the  ladder,  like  one  who  saw  no  ground  for  appre- 
hension in  the  undertaking.  The  agent  of  the  crown  sprang 
after  him,  taking  care  to  keep  as  near  as  possible  to  the  per- 
son of  his  leader,  and  calling  to  his  inferiors  to  lose  no  time 
in  backing  him  with  their  support.  The  whole  mounted 
through  the  trap  with  an  alacrity  nothing  short  of  that  with 
which  they  would  have  pressed  through  a  dangerous  breach  ; 


Mept  of  Mteb^Uon^Wteb  75 

nor  did  either  of  the  four  take  time  to  survey  the  lodgment 
he  had  made,  until  the  whole  party  was  standing  in  array, 
with  hands  grasping  the  handles  of  their  pistols,  or  seeking 
as  it  were  instinctively  the  hilts  of  their  broadswords. 

' '  By  the  dark  visage  of  the  Stuart !  ' '  exclaimed  the 
principal  personage,  after  satisfying  himself  by  a  long  and 
disappointed  gaze,  that  what  he  said  was  true,  *  *  here  is 
naught  but  an  unarmed  savage  boy  !  ' ' 

'  *  Didst  expect  to  meet  else  ? ' '  demanded  the  still  un- 
moved Content. 

4 '  Hum — that  which  we  expected  to  meet  is  sufficiently 
known  to  the  quaint  old  gentleman  below,  and  to  our  own 
good  wisdom.  If  thou  doubtest  of  our  right  to  look  into 
thy  very  hearts,  warranty  for  that  we  do  can  be  forth- 
coming. King  Charles  hath  little  cause  to  be  tender  of  his 
mercies  to  the  dwellers  of  these  colonies,  who  lent  but  too 
willing  ears  to  the  whinings  and  hypocrisies  of  the  wolves 
in  sheep's  clothing  of  whom  old  England  hath  now  so  hap- 
pily gotten  rid.  Thy  buildings  shall  again  be  rummaged 
from  the  bricks  of  the  chimney-tops  to  the  corner-stone  in 
thy  cellars  unless  deceit  and  rebellious  cunning  shall  be 
abandoned,  and  the  truth  proclaimed  with  the  openness  and 
fairness  of  bold-speaking  Englishmen." 

' '  I  know  not  what  is  called  the  fairness  of  bold-speaking 
Englishmen,  since  fairness  of  speech  is  not  a  quality  of  one 
people  or  of  one  land ;  but  well  I  do  know  that  deceit  is 
sinful,  and  little  of  it,  I  humbly  trust,  is  practised  in  this 
settlement.  I  am  ignorant  of  what  is  sought,  and  therefore 
it  cannot  be  that  I  meditate  treachery. ' ' 

' '  Thou  hearest,  Hallam  ;  he  reasoneth  on  a  matter  that 
toucheth  the  peace  and  safety  of  the  king  ! ' '  cried  the 
other,  his  arrogance  of  manner  increasing  with  the  anger 
of  disappointment.  ' '  But  why  is  this  dark-skinned  boy  a 
prisoner  ?  Dost  dare  to  constitute  thyself  a  sovereign  over 
the  natives  of  this  continent,  and  affect  to  have  shackles  and 
dungeons  for  such  as  meet  thy  displeasure  ?  ' ' 

'  *  The  lad  is  in  truth  a  captive,  but  he  has  been  taken  in 
defence  of  life,  and  hath  little  to  complain  of,  more  than 
loss  of  freedom." 


76  tlbe  Wept  of 


'  *  I  will  inquire  deeply  into  this  proceeding.  Though 
commissioned  on  an  errand  of  different  interest,  yet,  as  one 
trusted  in  a  matter  of  moment,  I  take  upon  me  the  office  of 
protecting  every  oppressed  subject  of  the  crown.  There 
may  grow  discoveries  out  of  this  practice,  Hallam,  fit  to  go 
before  the  council  itself.  '  ' 

1  '  Thou  wilt  find  but  little  here  worthy  of  the  time  and 
attention  of  those  burdened  with  the  care  of  a  nation,  '  '  re- 
turned Content.  "  The  youthful  heathen  was  found  lurking 
near  our  habitations  the  past  night  ;  and  he  is  kept  where 
thou  seest,  that  he  may  not  carry  the  tidings  of  our  condi- 
tion to  his  people,  who  are  doubtless  outlying  in  the  forest, 
waiting  for  the  fit  moment  to  work  their  evil." 

'  *  How  meanest  thou  ?  '  '  hastily  exclaimed  the  other  ;  "at 
hand  in  the  forest,  didst  say  ?  '  ' 

"There  can  be  little  doubt.  One  young  as  this  would 
scarce  be  found  distant  from  the  warriors  of  his  tribe  ;  and 
that  the  more  especially,  as  he  was  taken  in  the  commission 
of  an  ambush." 

*  '  I  hope  thy  people  are  not  without  good  provision  of 
arms,  and  other  sufficient  muniments  of  resistance.  I  trust 
the  palisadoes  are  firm,  and  the  posterns  ingeniously  de- 
fended." 

'  '  We  look  with  a  diligent  eye  to  our  safety,  for  it  is  well 
known  to  us  dwellers  on  the  borders  that  there  is  little  secu- 
rity but  in  untiring  watchfulness.  The  young  men  were  at 
the  gates  until  the  morning,  and  we  did  intend  to  make  a 
strong  scouting  into  the  woods  as  the  day  advanced,  in  order 
to  look  for  those  signs  that  may  lead  us  to  conclusions  on 
the  number  and  purposes  of  those  by  whom  we  are  envi- 
roned, had  not  thy  visit  called  us  to  other  duties.  '  ' 

"And  why  so  tardy  in  speaking  of  this  intent?"  de- 
manded the  agent  of  the  king,  leading  the  way  down  the 
ladder  with  suspicious  haste.  "It  is  a  commendable  pru- 
dence, and  must  not  be  delayed.  I  take  upon  me  the  re- 
sponsibilities of  commanding  that  all  proper  care  be  had 
in  defence  of  the  weaker  subjects  of  the  crown  who  are 
here  collected.  Are  our  roadsters  well  replenished,  Hallam  ? 
Duty,  as  thou  sayest,  is  an  imperative  master  ;  it  recalls  us 


Ube  Mept  of  Misb^on^TOiBb  77 


more  into  the  heart  of  the  colony.  I  would  it  might 
shortly  point  the  way  to  Europe ! "  he  muttered  as  he 
reached  the  ground.  * '  Go,  fellows ;  see  to  our  beasts,  and 
let  them  be  speedily  prepared  for  departure. ' ' 

The  attendants,  though  men  of  sufficient  spirit  in  open 
war,  and  when  it  was  to  be  exercised  in  a  fashion  to  which 
they  were  accustomed,  had,  like  other  mortals,  a  wholesome 
deference  for  unknown  and  terrific-looking  danger.  It  is  a 
well-known  truth,  and  one  that  has  been  proved  by  the 
experience  of  two  centuries,  that  while  the  European  soldier 
has  ever  been  readiest  to  have  recourse  to  the  assistance  of 
the  terrible  warrior  of  the  American  forest,  he  has,  in  nearly 
every  instance,  when  retaliation  or  accident  has  made  him 
the  object  instead  of  the  spectator  of  the  ruthless  nature  of 
his  warfare,  betrayed  the  most  salutary,  and  frequently  the 
most  abject  and  ludicrous  apprehension  of  the  prowess  of 
his  ally.  While  Content  therefore  looked  so  steadily,  though 
still  seriously,  at  the  peculiar  danger  in  which  he  was  placed, 
the  four  strangers  seemingly  saw  all  of  its  horrors  without  any 
of  the  known  means  of  avoiding  them.  Their  chief  quickly 
abandoned  the  insolence  of  office,  and  the  tone  of  disappoint- 
ment, for  a  mien  of  greater  courtesy  ;  and,  as  policy  is  often 
seen  suddenly  to  change  the  sentiments  of  even  more  pretend- 
ing personages,  when  interests  assume  a  new  aspect,  so  did  his 
language  rapidly  take  a  character  of  conciliation  and  courtesy. 

The  handmaidens  wTere  no  longer  leered  at ;  the  mistress 
of  the  dwelling  was  treated  with  marked  deference  ;  and  the 
air  of  deep  respect  with  which  even  the  principal  of  the  party 
addressed  the  aged  Puritan  bordered  on  an  exhibition  of 
commendable  reverence.  Something  was  said  in  the  way 
of  an  apology  for  the  disagreeable  obligations  of  duty, 
and  of  a  difference  between  a  manner  that  was  assumed  to 
answer  secret  purposes,  and  that  which  nature  and  a  sense 
of  right  would  indicate ;  but  neither  Mark  nor  his  son 
appeared  to  have  sufficient  interest  in  the  motives  of  their 
visitors,  to  put  them  to  the  trouble  of  repeating  explanations 
that  were  as  awkward  to  those  who  uttered  them  as  they 
were  unnecessary  to  those  who  listened. 

So  far  from  offering  any  further  obstacle  to  the  movements 


78  Ube  Wept  of 


of  the  family,  the  borderers  were  seriously  urged  to  pursue 
their  previous  intentions  of  thoroughly  examining  the 
woods.  The  dwelling  was  accordingly  intrusted,  under  the 
orders  of  the  Puritan,  to  the  keeping  of  about  half  the  labor- 
ers, assisted  by  the  Europeans,  who  clung  with  instinctive 
attachment  to  the  possession  of  the  block-house  ;  their  leader 
repeatedly  and  rightly  enough  declaring  that  though  ready 
at  all  times  to  risk  life  on  a  plain,  he  had  an  unconquerable 
distaste  to  putting  it  in  jeopardy  in  a  thicket.  Attended  by 
Eben  Dudley,  Reuben  Ring,  and  two  other  stout  youths,  all 
well  though  lightly  armed,  Content  then  left  the  palisadoes, 
and  took  his  way  towards  the  forest.  They  entered  the  woods 
at  the  nearest  point,  always  marching  with  the  caution  and 
vigilance  that  a  sense  of  the  true  nature  of  the  risk  they  ran 
would  inspire,  and  much  practice  only  could  properly  direct. 

The  manner  of  the  search  was  as  simple  as  it  was  likely 
to  prove  effectual.  The  scouts  commenced  a  circuit  round 
the  clearing,  extending  their  line  as  far  as  might  be  done 
without  cutting  off  support,  and  each  man  lending  his 
senses  attentively  to  the  signs  of  the  trail,  or  of  the  lairs, 
of  those  dangerous  enemies,  who  they  had  reason  to  think 
were  outlying  in  their  neighborhood.  But,  like  the  recent 
search  in  the  buildings,  the  scouting  was  for  a  long  time 
attended  by  no  results.  Many  weary  miles  were  passed 
slowly  over,  and  more  than  half  their  task  was  ended,  and 
no  sign  of  being  having  life  was  met,  except  the  very  visible 
trail  of  their  four  guests,  and  the  tracks  of  a  single  horse 
along  the  path  leading  to  the  settlements  from  the  quarter 
by  which  the  visitor  of  the  previous  night  had  been  known 
to  approach.  No  comments  were  made  by  any  of  the  party, 
as  each  in  succession  struck  and  crossed  this  path,  nearly  at 
the  same  instant  ;  but  a  low  call  from  Reuben  Ring,  which 
soon  after  met  their  ears,  caused  them  to  assemble  in  a 
body  at  the  spot  whence  the  summons  had  proceeded. 

"  Here  are  signs  of  one  passing  from  the  clearing,"  said 
the  quick-eyed  woodsmen,  "and  of  one  too  that  is  not 
numbered  among  the  family  of  Wish-Ton-Wish  ;  since  his 
beast  hath  had  a  shodden  hoof,  a  mark  which  belongeth  to 
no  animal  of  ours." 


Mept  of  Wisb^UotWlKllteb  79 

"  We  will  follow,"  said  Content,  immediately  striking  in 
upon  a  straggling  trail,  that  by  many  unequivocal  signs 
had  been  left  by  some  animal  which  had  passed  that  way 
not  many  hours  before.  Their  search,  however,  soon  drew 
to  a  close.  Kre  they  had  gone  any  great  distance,  they 
came  upon  the  half-demolished  carcass  of  a  dead  horse. 
There  was  no  mistaking  the  proprietor  of  this  unfortunate 
animal.  Though  some  beast,  or  rather  beasts  of  prey,  had 
fed  plentifully  on  the  body,  which  was  still  fresh  and  had 
scarcely  yet  done  bleeding,  it  was  plain,  by  the  remains  of 
the  torn  equipments,  as  well  as  by  the  color  and  size  of  the 
animal,  that  it  was  no  other  than  the  hack  ridden  by  the 
unknown  and  mysterious  guest,  who,  after  sharing  in  wor- 
ship and  in  the  evening  meal  of  the  family  of  Wish-Ton- 
Wish,  had  so  strangely  and  so  suddenly  disappeared.  The 
leathern  sack,  the  weapons  which  had  so  singularly  riveted 
the  gaze  of  old  Mark,  and  indeed  all  but  the  carcass  and  a 
ruined  saddle,  were  gone ;  but  what  was  left,  sufficiently 
served  to  identify  the  animal. 

"  Here  has  been  the  tooth  of  a  wolf,"  said  Bben  Dudley, 
stooping  to  examine  into  the  nature  of  a  ragged  wound  in 
the  neck  ;  "  and  here,  rtoo,  has  been  cut  of  knife ;  but 
whether  by  the  hand  of  a  redskin,  it  exceedeth  my  art  to 
say." 

Each  individual  of  the  party  now  bent  curiously  over  the 
wound ;  but  the  results  of  their  inquiries  went  no  further 
than  to  prove  that  it  was  undeniably  the  horse  of  the 
stranger,  that  had  forfeited  its  life.  To  the  fate  of  its  mas- 
ter, however,  there  was  not  the  slightest  clue.  Abandon- 
ing the  investigation,  after  a  long  and  fruitless  examination, 
they  proceeded  to  finish  the  circuit  of  the  clearing.  Night 
had  approached  ere  the  fatiguing  task  was  accomplished. 
As  Ruth  stood  at  the  postern  waiting  anxiously  for  their 
return,  she  saw  by  the  countenance  of  her  husband,  that 
while  nothing  had  transpired  to  give  any  grounds  of  addi- 
tional alarm,  no  satisfactory  testimony  had  been  given  to 
explain  the  nature  of  the  painful  doubts,  with  which,  as  a 
tender  and  sensitive  mother,  she  had  been  distressed  through- 
out the  day. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

"Is  there  not  milking-time, 
When  you  go  to  bed,  or  kiln -hole, 
To  whistle  off  these  secrets  ;  but  you  must  be 
Tattling  before  all  our  guests  ?  " 

Winters  Tale. 

LONG  experience  hath  shown  that  the  white  man, 
when  placed  in  situations  to  acquire  such  knowl- 
edge, readily  becomes  the  master  of  most  of  that 
peculiar  skill  for  which  the  North  American  In- 
dian is  so  remarkable,  and  which  enables  him,  among  other 
things,  to  detect  the  signs  of  a  forest  trail,  with  a  quickness 
and  an  accuracy  of  intelligence  that  amount  nearly  to  an 
instinct.  The  fears  of  the  family  were  therefore  greatly 
quieted  by  the  reports  of  the  scouts,  all  of  whom  agreed  in 
the  opinion  that  no  party  of  savages,  that  could  be  at  all 
dangerous  to  a  force  like  their  own,  was  lying  near  the 
valley  ;  and  some  of  whom,  the  loudest  of  which  number 
being  stout  Eben  Dudley,  boldly  offered  to  answer  for  the 
security  of  those  who  depended  on  their  vigilance,  with 
their  own  lives.  These  assurances  had,  beyond  a  doubt,  a 
soothing  influence  on  the  apprehensions  of  Ruth  and  her 
handmaidens  ;  but  they  somewhat  failed  of  their  effect  with 
those  unwelcome  visitors  who  still  continued  to  cumber 
Wish-Ton-Wish  with  their  presence.  Though  they  had 
evidently  abandoned  all  ideas  connected  with  the  original 
object  of  their  visit,  they  spoke  not  of  departure.  On  the 
contrary,  as  night  approached,  their  chief  entered  into  coun- 
cil with  old  Mark  Heathcote,  and  made  certain  propositions 
for  the  security  of  his  dwelling,  which  the  Puritan  saw  no 
reason  to  oppose. 


ZTbe  Mept  of  Misb^on^Misb  8i 

A  regular  watch  was,  in  consequence,  set,  and  maintained 
till  morning,  at  the  palisadoes.  The  different  members  of 
the  family  retired  to  their  usual  places  of  rest,  tranquil  in 
appearance,  if  not  in  entire  confidence  of  peace  ;  and  the 
military  messengers  took  post  in  the  lower  of  the  two  fight- 
ing apartments  of  the  citadel.  With  this  simple,  and  to  the 
strangers  particularly  satisfactory  arrangement,  the  hours 
of  darkness  passed  away  in  quiet  ;  morning  returning  to 
the  secluded  valley,  as  it  had  so  often  done  before,  with  its 
loveliness  unimpaired  by  violence  or  tumult. 

In  the  same  peaceful  manner  did  the  sun  set  successively 
three  several  times,  and  as  often  did  it  rise  on  the  abode 
of  the  Heathcotes,  without  further  sign  of  danger,  or  motive 
of  alarm.  With  the  passage  of  time,  the  agents  of  the 
Stuart  gradually  regained  their  confidence.  Still  they  never 
neglected  to  withdraw  within  the  protection  of  the  block- 
house with  the  retiring  light ;  a  post  which  the  subordinate 
named  Hallam  more  than  once  gravely  observed,  they  were, 
by  their  disciplined  and  military  habits,  singularly  qualified 
to  maintain.  Though  the  Puritan  secretly  chafed  under 
this  protracted  visit,  habitual  self-denial,  and  a  manner  so 
long  subdued,  enabled  him  to  conceal  his  disgust.  For  the 
first  two  days  after  the  alarm,  the  deportment  of  his  guests 
was  unexceptionable.  All  their  faculties  appeared  to  be 
engrossed  with  keen  and  anxious  watchings  of  the  forest, 
out  of  which  it  would  seem  they  expected  momentarily  to 
see  issue  a  band  of  ferocious  and  ruthless  savages ;  but 
symptoms  of  returning  levity  began  to  be  apparent,  as  con- 
fidence and  a  feeling  of  security  increased,  with  the  quiet 
passage  of  the  hours. 

It  was  on  the  evening  of  the  third  day  from  that  on  which 
they  had  made  their  appearance  in  the  settlement,  that  the 
man  called  Hallam  was  seen  strolling,  for  the  first  time, 
through  the  postern  so  often  named,  and  taking  a  direction 
which  led  towards  the  out-buildings.  His  air  was  less  dis- 
trustful than  it  had  been  for  many  a  weary  hour,  and  his 
step  proportionably  confident  and  assuming.  Instead  of 
wearing,  as  he  had  been  wont,  a  pair  of  heavy  horseman's 
pistols  at  his  girdle,  he  had  even  laid  aside  his  broadsword, 

6 


82  Ube  Wept  of 


and  appeared  more  in  the  guise  of  one  who  sought  his  per- 
sonal ease,  than  in  that  cumbersome  and  martial  attire  which 
all  of  his  party,  until  now,  had  deemed  it  prudent  to  main- 
tain. He  cast  his  glance  cursorily  over  the  fields  of  the 
Heathcotes,  as  they  glowed  under  the  soft  light  of  a  setting 
sun  ;  nor  did  his  eye  even  refuse  to  wander  vacantly  along 
the  outlines  of  that  forest  which  his  imagination  had  so 
lately  been  peopling  with  beings  of  a  fierce  and  ruthless 
nature. 

The  hour  was  one  when  rustic  economy  brings  the  labors 
of  the  day  to  a  close.  Among  those  who  were  more  than 
usually  active  at  that  busy  moment  was  a  handmaiden  of 
Ruth,  whose  clear,  sweet  voice  was  heard,  in  one  of  the 
inclosures,  occasionally  rising  on  the  notes  of  a  spiritual 
song,  and  as  often  sinking  to  a  nearly  inaudible  hum,  as 
she  extracted  from  a  favorite  animal  liberal  portions  of 
its  nightly  tribute  to  the  dairy  of  her  mistress.  To  that  in- 
closure  the  stranger,  as  it  were  by  accident,  suffered  his 
sauntering  footsteps  to  stroll,  seemingly  as  much  in  admira- 
tion of  the  sleek  herd  as  of  any  other  of  its  comely  tenants. 

;  *  From  what  thrush  hast  taken  lessons,  my  pretty  maid, 
that  I  mistook  thy  notes  for  one  of  the  sweetest  songsters 
of  thy  woods  ?  "  he  asked,  trusting  his  person  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  pen,  in  an  attitude  of  easy  superiority.  '  '  One 
might  fancy  it  a  robin,  or  a  wren,  trolling  out  his  evening 
song,  instead  of  human  voice,  rising  and  falling  in  every- 
day psalmody." 

"  The  birds  of  our  forest  rarely  speak,"  returned  the  girl, 
"  and  the  one  among  them  which  has  most  to  say,  does  it 
like  those  who  are  called  gentlemen,  when  they  set  wit  to 
work  to  please  the  ear  of  simple  country  maidens." 

"  And  in  what  fashion  may  that  be  ?  " 

"Mockery." 

"  Ah  !  I  have  heard  of  the  creature's  skill.  It  is  said  to 
be  a  compound  of  the  harmony  of  all  other  forest  songsters, 
and  3^et  I  see  little  resemblance  to  the  honest  language  of  a 
soldier  in  its  manner  of  utterance.  '  ' 

'  '  It  speaketh  without  much  meaning  ;  and  oftener  to 
cheat  the  ear  than  in  honest  reason.  '  ' 


TTbe  Mept  of  Misb*Uon*Wisfo  83 

"  Thou  forgettest  that  which  I  told  thee  in  the  morning, 
child.  It  would  seem  that  they  who  named  thee  have 
no  great  cause  to  exult  in  their  judgment  of  character, 
since  Unbelief  would  better  describe  thy  disposition  than 
Faith." 

*  *  It  may  be  that  they  who  named  me  little  knew  how 
great  must  be  credulity,  to  give  ear  to  all  I  have  been  required 
to  credit." 

*  *  Thou  canst  have  no  difficulty  in  admitting  that  thou 
art  comely,  since  the  eye  itself  will  support  thy  belief ;  nor 
can  one  of  so  quick  speech  fail  to  know  that  her  wit  is 
sharper  than  common.     Thus  far  I  admit  the  name  of  Faith 
will  not  surely  belie  thy  character." 

* '  If  Kben  Dudley  hear  thee  use  such  vanity-stirring  dis- 
course," returned  the  half-pleased  girl,  "he  might  give  thee 
less  credit  for  wit  than  thou  seemest  willing  to  yield  to 
others.  I  hear  his  heavy  foot  among  the  cattle,  and  ere 
long  we  shall  be  sure  to  see  a  face  that  hath  little  more  of 
lightness  to  boast." 

*  *  This  Eben  Dudley  is  a  personage  of  no  mean  impor- 
tance, I  find  !  "  muttered  the  other,  continuing  his  walk,  as 
the  borderer  named  made  his  appearance  at  another  en- 
trance of  the  pen.      The  glances  exchanged  between  them 
were  far  from  friendly,  though  the  woodsman  permitted  the 
stranger  to  pass  without  any  oral  expression  of  displeasure. 

"  The  skittish  heifer  is  getting  gentle  at  last,  Faith  Ring," 
said  the  borderer,  casting  the  butt  of  his  musket  on  the 
ground  with  a  violence  that  left  a  deep  impression  on  the 
faded  sward  at  his  feet.  "  That  brindled  ox,  old  Logger,  is 
not  more  willing  to  come  into  his  yoke  than  is  the  four-year- 
old  to  yield  her  milk." 

' '  The  creature  has  been  getting  kind  since  you  taught 
the  manner  to  tame  its  humor,"  returned  the  dairy  girl,  in 
a  voice  that,  spite  of  every  effort  of  maiden  pride,  betrayed 
something  of  a  flurry  of  her  spirits,  while  she  plied  her 
light  task  with  violent  industry. 

'  *  Umph  !  I  hope  some  other  of  my  teachings  may  be  as 
well  remembered ;  but  thou  art  quick  at  the  trick  of  learn- 
ing, Faith,  as  is  plain  by  the  ready  manner  in  which  thou 


84  Ube  Wept  of 


hast  so  shortly  got  the  habit  of  discourse  with  a  man  as 
nimble-tongued  as  yon  riding  reprobate  from  over  sea." 

"  I  hope  that  civil  listening  is  no  proof  of  unseemly  dis- 
course on  the  part  of  one  who  hath  been  trained  in  modesty 
of  speech,  Eben  Dudley.  Thou  hast  often  said,  it  was  the 
bounden  duty  of  her  who  was  spoken  to,  to  give  ear,  lest 
some  might  say  she  was  of  scornful  mind,  and  her  name  for 
pride  be  better  earned  than  that  for  good-nature." 

'  '  I  see  that  more  of  my  lessons  than  I  had  hoped  are  still 
in  thy  keeping.  So  thou  listenest  thus  readily,  Faith, 
because  it  is  meet  that  a  maiden  should  not  be  scornful  !  '  ' 

"  Thou  sayest  so.  Whatever  ill  name  I  may  deserve,  thou 
hast  no  right  to  count  scorn  among  my  failings." 

"If  I  do,  may  I—"  Eben  Dudley  bit  his  lip,  and 
checked  an  expression  which  would  have  given  grievous 
offence  to  one  whose  habits  of  decency  were  as  severe  as 
those  of  his  companion.  "Thou  must  have  heard  much 
that  was  profitable  to-day,  Faith  Ring,  '  *  he  added,  '  *  con- 
sidering that  thy  ear  is  so  open,  and  that  thy  opportunities 
have  been  great.  '  ' 

"  I  know  not  what  thou  wouldst  say  by  speaking  of  my 
opportunities,"  returned  the  girl,  bending  still  lower  beneath 
the  object  of  her  industry,  in  order  to  conceal  the  glow 
which  her  own  quick  consciousness  told  her  was  burning  on 
her  cheek. 

"  I  would  say  that  the  tale  must  be  long  that  needeth  four 
several  trials  of  private  speech  to  finish." 

"  Four  !  As  I  hope  to  be  believed  for  a  girl  of  truth  in 
speech  or  deed,  this  is  but  the  third  time  that  the  stranger 
hath  spoken  to  me  apart,  since  the  sun  hath  risen." 

'  '  If  I  know  the  number  of  the  fingers  of  my  hand,  it  is 
the  fourth!" 

"  Nay,  how  canst  thou,  Eben  Dudley,  who  hast  been 
afield  since  the  crowing  of  the  cock,  know  what  hath  passed 
about  the  dwellings  ?  It  is  plain  that  envy,  or  some  other 
evil  passion,  causeth  thee  to  speak  angrily." 

"  How  is  it  that  I  know  !  perhaps  thou  thinkest,  Faith, 
thy  brother  Reuben  only  hath  the  gift  of  sight." 

"  The  labor  must  have  gone  on  with  great  profit  to  the 


Ube  Mept  of  Mfsb=tron*Misb  85 

captain,  whilst  eyes  have  been  roving  over  other  matters  ! 
But  perhaps  they  kept  the  strong  of  arm  for  the  lookers- 
out,  and  have  set  them  of  feebler  bodies  to  the  toil." 

* '  I  have  not  been  so  careless  of  thy  life  as  to  forget,  at 
passing  moments,  to  cast  an  eye  abroad,  pert  one.  What- 
ever thou  mayest  think  of  the  need,  there  would  be  fine 
wailings  in  the  butteries  and  dairies,  did  the  Wampanoags 
get  into  the  clearing,  and  were  there  none  to  give  the  alarm 
in  season." 

"Truly,  Eben,  thy  terror  of  the  child  in  the  block  must 
be  grievous  for  one  of  thy  manhood,  else  wouldst  thou  not 
watch  the  buildings  so  narrowly,"  retorted  Faith,  laughing  ; 
for  with  the  dexterity  of  her  sex,  she  began  to  feel  the 
superiority  she  was  gradually  obtaining  in  the  discourse. 
1 '  Thou  dost  not  remember  that  we  have  valiant  troopers 
from  old  England,  to  keep  the  younker  from  doing  harm. 
But  here  cometh  the  brave  soldier  himself ;  it  will  be  well 
to  ask  vigilance  at  his  hands,  or  this  night  may  bring  us  to 
the  tomahawk  in  our  sleep .! ' ' 

' '  Thou  speakest  of  the  weapon  of  the  savages  ! ' '  said 
the  messenger,  who  had  drawn  near  again  with  a  visible 
willingness  to  share  in  an  interview  which,  while  he  had 
watched  its  progress  at  a  distance,  appeared  to  be  growing 
interesting.  "  I  trust  all  fear  is  over  from  that  quarter." 

"As  you  say,  for  this  quarter,"  said  Eben,  adjusting 
his  lips  to  a  low  whistle,  and  coolly  looking  up  to  examine 
the  heavenly  body  to  which  he  meant  allusion.  "  But 
the  next  quarter  may  bring  us  a  pretty  piece  of  Indian 
skirmishing." 

"  And  what  hath  the  moon  in  common  with  an  incursion 
of  the  savages  ?  Are  there  those  among  them  who  study  the 
secrets  of  the  stars  ?  ' ' 

"They  study  deviltries  and  other  wickedness  more  than 
aught  else.  It  is  not  easy  for  the  mind  of  man  to  fancy 
horrors  such  as  they  design  when  Providence  has  given 
them  success  in  an  inroad." 

"  But  thou  didst  speak  of  the  moon  !  In  what  manner 
is  the  moon  leagued  with  their  bloody  plots  ? ' ' 

*  *  We  have  her  now  in  the  full,  and  there  is  little  of  the 


86  Ube  Mept  of 


night  when  the  eye  of  a  watcher  might  not  see  a  redskin 
in  the  clearing  ;  but  a  different  tale  may  be  heard,  when  an 
hour  or  two  of  jet  darkness  shall  again  fall  among  these 
woods.  There  will  be  a  change  shortly  ;  it  behooveth  us 
therefore  to  be  on  our  guard." 

1  '  Thou  thinkest  then,  truly,  that  there  are  outlyers  wait- 
ing for  the  fitting  moment  ?  '  '  said  the  officer,  with  an  in- 
terest so  marked  as  to  cause  even  the  but  half-pacified  Faith 
to  glance  an  arch  look  at  her  companion,  though  he  still 
had  reason  to  distrust  a  wilful  expression  that  lurked  in 
the  corner  of  her  eyes,  which  threatened  at  each  moment  to 
contradict  his  relation  to  the  sinister  omens. 

"  There  may  be  savages  lying  in  the  hills  at  a  day's 
journey  in  the  forest  ;  but  they  know  the  aim  of  a  white 
man's  musket  too  well  to  be  sleeping  within  reach  of  its 
range.  It  is  the  nature  of  an  Indian  to  eat  and  sleep  while 
he  has  time  for  quiet,  and  to  fast  and  murder  when  the 
killing  hour  hath  come." 

*  '  And  what  call  you  the  distance  to  the  nearest  settle- 
ment on  the  Connecticut  ?  '  '   demanded  the  other,  with  an 
air  so  studiously  indifferent  as  to  furnish  an  easy  clue  to  the 
inner  workings  of  his  mind. 

'  '  Some  twenty  hours  would  bring  a  nimble  runner  to  the 
outer  habitations,  granting  small  time  for  food  and  rest. 
He  that  is  wise,  however,  will  take  but  little  of  the  latter, 
until  his  head  be  safely  housed  within  some  such  building 
as  yon  block,  or  until  there  shall  stand  between  him  and 
the  forest  at  least  a  goodly  row  of  oaken  pickets." 

"  There  is  no  path  ridden  by  which  travellers  may  avoid 
the  forest  during  the  darkness  ?  '  ' 

*  '  I  know  of  none.     He  who  quits  Wish  -Ton-  Wish  for 
the  towns  below  must  make  his  pillow  of  the  earth,  or  be 
fain  to  ride  as  long  as  beast  can  carry  him." 

"  We  have  truly  had  experience  of  this  necessity  journey- 
ing hither.  Thou  thinkest,  friend,  that  the  savages  are  in 
their  resting-time,  and  that  they  wait  the  coming  quarter 
of  the  moon  ?  '  ' 

"  To  my  seeming,  we  shall  not  have  them  sooner,"  re- 
turned Kben  Dudley  ;  taking  care  to  conceal  all  qualifica- 


ZTbe  Wept  of  Wisb*fton*Wtefo  87 

tion  of  this  opinion,  if  any  such  he  entertained,  by  closely 
locking  its  purport  in  a  mental  reservation. 

' '  And  what  season  is  it  usual  to  choose  for  getting  into 
the  saddle,  when  business  calls  any  to  the  settlements  be- 
low?" 

' '  We  never  fail  to  take  our  departure  about  the  time  the 
sun  touches  the  tall  pine  which  stands  on  yonder  height  of 
the  mountain.  Much  experience  hath  told  us  it  is  the  safest 
hour  ;  hand  of  time-piece  is  not  more  sure  than  yon  tree." 

"I  like  the  night,"  said  the  other,  looking  about  him  with 
the  air  of  one  suddenly  struck  with  the  promising  appear- 
ance of  the  weather.  ' '  The  blackness  no  longer  hangs 
about  the  forest,  and  it  seems  a  fitting  moment  to  push  the 
matter  on  which  we  are  sent  nearer  to  its  conclusion." 

So  saying,  and  probably  believing  that  he  had  sufficiently 
concealed  the  motives  of  his  decision,  the  uneasy  dragoon 
walked  with  an  air  of  soldierly  coolness  towards  the  dwell- 
ings, signing  at  the  same  time  to  one  of  his  companions, 
who  was  regarding  him  from  a  distance,  to  approach. 

"  Now  dost  thou  believe,  witless  Dudley,  that  the  four 
fingers  of  thy  clumsy  hand  have  numbered  the  full  amount 
of  all  that  thou  callest  my  listenings?"  said  Faith,  when 
she  thought  no  other  ear  but  his  to  whom  she  spoke  could 
catch  her  words,  and  at  the  same  time  laughing  merrily  be- 
neath her  heifer,  though  still  speaking  with  a  vexation  she 
could  not  entirely  repress. 

* '  Have  I  spoken  aught  but  truth  ?  It  is  not  for  such  as 
I  to  give  lessons  in  journeying  to  one  who  follows  the  hon- 
est trade  of  a  man-hunter.  I  have  said  that  which  all  who 
dwell  in  these  parts  know  to  be  reasonable." 

"  Surely  naught  else.  But  truth  is  made  so  powerful  in 
thy  hands,  that  it  needs  to  be  taken,  like  a  bitter  healing 
draught,  with  closed  eyes  and  at  many  swallows.  One  who 
drinketh  of  it  too  freely  may  well-nigh  be  strangled.  I  mar- 
vel that  he  who  is  so  vigilant  in  providing  for  the  cares  of 
others,  should  take  so  little  heed  of  those  he  is  sent  to 
guard." 

"I  know  not  thy  meaning,  Faith.  When  was  danger 
near  the  valley  and  my  musket  wanting  ?  ' ' 


88  TOe  TKftept  of 


1  '  The  good  piece  is  truer  to  duty  than  its  master.  Thou 
mayst  have  lawful  license  to  sleep  at  thy  post,  for  we 
maidens  know  nothing  of  the  pleasure  of  the  captain  in 
these  matters  ;  but  it  would  be  as  seemly,  if  not  as  soldierly, 
to  place  the  arms  at  the  postern  and  thyself  in  the  chambers, 
when  next  thou  hast  need  of  watching  and  sleeping  in  the 
same  hour.  '  ' 

Dudley  looked  as  confused  as  one  of  his  mould  and  un- 
bending temperament  might  well  be,  though  he  stubbornly 
refused  to  understand  the  allusion  of  his  offended  companion. 

"  Thou  hast  not  discussed  with  the  trooper  from  over  sea 
in  vain,"  he  said,  "  since  thou  speakest  so  wisely  of  watches 
and  arms." 

"  Truly  he  hath  much  schooled  me  in  the  matter." 

"  Umph  !  and  what  may  be  the  amount  of  his  teaching?  " 

*  '  That  he  who  sleepeth  at  a  postern  should  neither  talk 
too  boldly  of  the  enemy,  nor  expect  maidens  to  put  too 
much  trust  —  '  ' 

"  In  what,  Faith?" 

"  Thou  surely  knowest  I  mean  in  his  watchfulness.  My 
life  on  it,  had  one  happened  to  pass  at  a  later  hour  than 
common  near  the  night-post  of  that  gentle-spoken  soldier, 
he  would  not  have  been  found  like  a  sentinel  of  this  house- 
hold in  the  second  watch  of  the  night  that  was  gone,  dream- 
ing of  the  good  things  of  madam's  buttery." 

"  Didst  truly  come  then,  girl?  "  said  Eben,  dropping  his 
voice,  and  equally  manifesting  his  satisfaction  and  his 
shame.  "But  thou  knowest,  Faith,  that  the  labor  had 
fallen  behind  in  behalf  of  the  scouting  party,  and  that  the 
toil  of  yesterday  exceeded  that  of  our  usual  burdens. 
Nevertheless,  I  keep  the  postern  again  to-night  from  eight 
to  twelve,  and  —  " 

1  '  Will  make  a  goodly  rest  of  it,  I  doubt  not.  Now  he 
who  hath  been  so  vigilant  throughout  the  day  must  needs 
tire  of  the  task  as  night  draws  on.  Fare  thee  well,  wake- 
ful Dudley  ;  if  thine  eyes  should  open  on  the  morrow,  be 
thankful  that  the  maidens  have  not  stitched  thy  garments 
to  the  palisadoes." 

Notwithstanding  the  efforts  of  the  young  man  to  detain 


tlbe  TKftept  of  Wisb^otWIKIlteb  89 

her,  the  light-footed  girl  eluded  his  grasp,  and  bearing  her 
burden  towards  the  dairy,  she  tripped  along  the  path  with 
a  half-averted  face,  in  which  triumph  and  repentance  were 
already  struggling  for  the  possession. 

In  the  meantime  the  leader  of  the  messengers  and  his 
military  subordinate  had  a  long  and  interesting  conference. 
When  it  was  ended,  the  former  took  his  way  to  the  apart- 
ment in  which  Mark  Heathcote  was  wont  to  pass  those  por- 
tions of  his  time  that  were  not  occupied  in  his  secret  strivings 
for  the  faith,  or  in  exercise  without,  while  superintending 
the  laborers  in  the  fields.  With  some  little  circumlocution, 
which  was  intended  to  mask  his  real  motives,  the  agent  of 
the  king  announced  his  intention  to  take  his  final  departure 
that  very  night. 

' ' I  felt  it  a  duty,  as  one  who  has  gained  experience  in 
arms  by  some  practise  in  the  wars  of  Kurope,"  he  said,  "  to 
tarry  in  thy  dwelling  while  danger  threatened  from  the 
lurking  savage.  It  would  ill  become  soldiers  to  speak  of 
their  intentions  ;  but  had  the  alarm  in  truth  sounded,  thou 
wilt  give  faith  when  I  say  that  the  block-house  would  not 
have  been  lightly  yielded !  I  shall  make  report  to  them 
that  sent  me,  that  in  Captain  Mark  Heathcote,  Charles  hath 
a  loyal  subject,  and  the  constitution  a  firm  supporter.  The 
rumors,  of  a  seemingly  mistaken  description,  which  have  led 
us  hither,  shall  be  contradicted,  and  doubtless  it  will  be 
found  that  some  accident  hath  given  rise  to  the  deception. 
Should  there  be  occasion  to  dwell  on  the  particulars  of  the 
late  alarm,  I  trust  the  readiness  of  my  followers  to  do  good 
service  to  one  of  the  king's  subjects  will  not  be  overlooked." 

' '  It  is  the  striving  of  an  humble  spirit  to  speak  naught 
evil  of  its  fellows,  and  to  conceal  no  good,"  returned  the 
reserved  Puritan.  "  If  thou  hast  found  thy  abode  in  my 
dwelling  to  thy  liking,  thou  art  welcome,  and  if  duty  or 
pleasure  calleth  thee  to  quit  it,  peace  go  with  thee.  It  will 
be  useful  to  unite  with  us  in  asking  that  thy  passage 
through  the  wilderness  may  be  unharmed  ;  that  He  who 
watcheth  over  the  meanest  of  his  creatures  should  take 
thee  in  his  especial  keeping,  and  that  the  savage  heathen — ' ' 

"  Dost  think  the  savage  out  of  his  villages  ? "  demanded 


90  Ube  Wept  of 


the  messenger,  with  an  indecorous  rapidity  that  cut  short 
the  enumeration  of  the  particular  blessings  and  dangers 
that  his  host  thought  it  meet  to  include  in  the  leave-taking 
prayer. 

'  '  Thou  surely  hast  not  tarried  with  us  to  aid  in  the  de- 
fence, and  yet  feel  it  doubtful  that  thy  services  might  be 
useful  !  '  '  observed  Mark  Heathcote  dryly. 

'  *  I  would  the  Prince  of  Darkness  had  thee  and  all  the 
other  diabolicals  of  these  woods  in  his  own  good  gripe  !  '  ' 
muttered  the  messenger  between  his  teeth  ;  and  then,  as  if 
guided  by  a  spirit  that  could  not  long  be  quelled,  he  as- 
sumed something  more  of  his  unbridled  and  natural  air, 
boldly  declining  to  join  in  the  prayer  on  the  plea  of  haste, 
and  the  necessity  of  his  looking  in  person  to  the  movements 
of  his  followers.  "But  this  need  not  prevent  thee,  worthy 
captain,  from  pouring  out  an  asking  in  our  behalf  while  we 
are  in  the  saddle,  '  '  he  concluded  ;  "for  ourselves,  there  re- 
maineth  much  of  thy  previously  -bestowed  pious  aliment  to 
be  digested,  though  we  doubt  not  that  should  thy  voice  be 
raised  in  our  behalf,  while  journeying  along  the  first  few 
leagues  of  the  forest,  the  tread  of  the  hacks  would  not  be 
heavier,  and  it  is  certainty  that  we  ourselves  should  be 
none  the  worse  for  the  favor." 

Then  casting  a  glance  of  ill-concealed  levity  at  one  of  his 
followers  who  had  come  to  say  that  their  steeds  awaited, 
he  made  the  parting  salutation  with  an  air  in  which  the 
respect  that  one  like  the  Puritan  could  scarce  fail  to  excite 
struggled  with  his  habitual  contempt  for  things  of  a  serious 
character. 

The  family  of  Mark  Heathcote,  the  lowest  dependant  in- 
cluded, saw  these  strangers  depart  with  great  inward  satis- 
faction. Kven  the  maidens,  in  whom  nature,  in  moments 
weaker  than  common,  had  awakened  some  of  the  lighter 
vanities,  were  gladly  rid  of  gallants  who  could  not  soothe 
their  ears  with  the  unction  of  flattery  without  frequently 
giving  great  offence  to  their  severe  principles,  by  light  and 
irreverent  allusions  to  things  on  which  they  themselves  were 
accustomed  to  think  with  fitting  awe.  Bben  Dudley  could 
scarcely  conceal  the  chuckle  with  which  he  saw  the  party 


Wept  of  TOteb*Uon*Wisb  91 

bury  themselves  in  the  forest,  though  neither  he  nor  any  of 
the  more  instructed  in  such  matters  believed  they  incurred 
serious  risk  from  their  sudden  enterprise. 

The  opinion  of  the  scouts  proved  to  be  founded  on  accurate 
premises.  That  and  many  a  subsequent  night  passed  with- 
out alarm.  The  season  continued  to  advance,  and  the  labor- 
ers pursued  their  toil  to  its  close  without  another  appeal  to 
their  courage,  or  any  additional  reasons  for  vigilance.  Whit- 
tal  Ring  followed  his  colts  with  impunity  among  the  reces- 
ses of  the  neighboring  forests,  and  the  herds  of  the  family 
went  and  came  as  long  as  the  weather  would  permit  them  to 
range  the  woods,  in  regularity  and  peace.  The  period  of  the 
alarm  and  the  visit  of  the  agents  of  the  crown  came  to  be 
food  for  tradition,  and  during  the  succeeding  winter  the 
former  often  furnished  motive  of  merriment  around  the  blaz- 
ing fires  that  were  so  necessary  to  the  country  and  the 


*£> 

season. 


Still  there  existed  in  the  family  a  living  memorial  of  the 
unusual  incidents  of  that  night.  The  captive  remained  long 
after  the  events  which  had  placed  him  in  the  power  of  the 
Heathcotes  were  beginning  to  be  forgotten. 

A  desire  to  quicken  the  seeds  of  spiritual  regeneration, 
which,  however  dormant  they  might  be,  old  Mark  Heathcote 
believed  to  exist  in  the  whole  family  of  man,  and  conse- 
quently in  the  young  heathen  as  well  as  in  others,  had  be- 
come a  sort  of  ruling  passion  in  the  Puritan.  The  fashions 
and  mode  of  thinking  of  the  times  had  a  strong  leaning 
towards  superstition,  and  it  was  far  from  difficult  for  a  man 
of  his  ascetic  habits  and  exaggerated  doctrines  to  believe 
that  a  special  interposition  had  cast  the  boy  into  his  hands 
for  some  hidden  but  mighty  purpose,  that  time  in  the  good 
season  would  not  fail  to  reveal. 

Notwithstanding  the  strong  coloring  of  fanaticism  which 
tinged  the  character  of  the  religionists  of  those  days,  they 
were  rarely  wanting  in  worldly  discretion.  The  agents  they 
saw  fit  to  employ,  in  order  to  aid  the  more  hidden  purposes 
of  Providence,  were  in  common  useful  and  rational.  Thus, 
while  Mark  never  forgot  to  summon  the  lad  from  his  prison 
at  the  hour  of  prayer,  or  to  include  an  especial  asking  in 


92  Ube  Mept  of 


behalf  of  the  ignorant  heathen  in  general  and  of  this  chosen 
youth  in  particular,  he  hesitated  to  believe  that  a  manifest 
miracle  would  be  exerted  in  his  favor.  That  no  blame  might 
attach  to  the  portion  of  duty  that  was  confided  to  human 
means,  he  had  recourse  to  the  discreet  agency  of  kindness 
and  unremitted  care.  But  all  attempts  to  lure  the  lad  into 
the  habits  of  a  civilized  man  were  completely  unsuccessful. 
As  the  severity  of  the  weather  increased,  the  compassionate 
and  thoughtful  Ruth  endeavored  to  induce  him  to  adopt  the 
garments  that  were  found  so  necessary  to  the  comfort  of  men 
who  were  greatly  his  superiors  in  hardihood  and  in  strength. 
Clothes  decorated  in  a  fashion  suited  to  the  taste  of  an  Indian 
were  considerately  provided,  and  entreaties  and  threats  were 
both  freely  used,  with  a  view  to  make  the  captive  wear  them. 
On  one  occasion  he  was  even  forcibly  clad  by  Kben  Dudley  ; 
and  being  brought  in  the  unwonted  guise  into  the  presence 
of  old  Mark,  the  latter  offered  up  an  especial  petition  that 
the  youth  might  be  made  to  feel  the  merits  of  this  concession 
to  the  principles  of  a  chastened  and  instructed  man.  But 
within  an  hour  the  stout  woodsman,  who  had  been  made  on 
the  occasion  so  active  an  instrument  of  civilization,  an- 
nounced to  the  admiring  Faith  that  the  experiment  was  un- 
successful ;  or,  as  Kben  somewhat  irreverently  described  the 
extraordinary  effort  of  the  Puritan,  "  the  heathen  hath  al- 
ready resumed  his  skin  leggings  and  painted  waist-cloth, 
notwithstanding  the  captain  hath  strove  to  pin  better  gar- 
ments on  his  back,  by  virtue  of  a  prayer  that  might  have 
clothed  the  nakedness  of  a  whole  tribe."  In  short,  the 
result  proved  in  the  case  of  this  lad,  as  similar  experiments 
have  since  proved  in  so  many  other  instances,  the  difficulty 
of  tempting  one  trained  in  the  freedom  and  ease  of  a  savage, 
to  consent  to  admit  of  the  restraints  of  a  state  of  being  that 
is  commonly  thought  to  be  so  much  superior.  In  every  in- 
stance in  which  the  youthful  captive  had  liberty  of  choice, 
he  disdainfully  rejected  the  customs  of  the  whites,  adhering 
with  a  singular  and  almost  heroic  pertinacity  to  the  usages 
of  his  people  and  his  condition. 

The  boy  was  not  kept  in  his  bondage  without  extraordi- 
nary care.     Once,  when  trusted  in  the  fields,  he  had  openly 


Mept  of  Wteb^UotVlKIUsb  93 

attempted  to  escape  ;  nor  was  the  possession  of  his  person 
recovered  without  putting  the  speed  of  Eben  Dudley  and 
Reuben  Ring  to  a  more  severe  trial,  as  was  confessed  by  the 
athletic  young  borderers  themselves,  than  any  they  had 
hitherto  undergone.  From  that  moment,  he  was  never  per- 
mitted to  pass  the  palisadoes.  When  duty  called  the  labor- 
ers afield,  the  captive  was  invariably  secured  in  his  prison, 
where,  as  some  compensation  for  his  confinement,  he  was 
supposed  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  long  and  familiar  communi- 
cation with  Mark  Heathcote,  who  had  the  habit  of  passing 
many  hours  of  each  day,  and  not  unfrequently  long  portions 
of  the  night  too,  within  the  retirement  of  the  block-house. 
During  the  time  only  when  the  gates  were  closed,  or  when 
some  one  of  strength  and  activity  sufficient  to  control  his 
movements  was  present,  was  the  latter  permitted  to  stroll  at 
will  among  the  buildings  of  the  border  fortress.  This  liberty  he 
never  failed  to  exercise,  and  often  in  a  manner  that  overcame 
the  affectionate  Ruth  with  a  painful  excess  of  sensibility. 

Instead  of  joining  in  the  play  of  the  other  children,  the 
young  captive  would  stand  aloof,  and  regard  their  sports 
with  a  vacant  eye,  or,  drawing  near  the  palisadoes,  he  often 
passed  hours  in  gazing  wistfully  at  those  endless  forests  in 
which  he  first  drew  breath,  and  which  probably  contained 
all  that  was  most  prized  in  the  estimation  of  his  simple  judg- 
ment. Ruth,  touched  to  the  heart  by  this  silent  but  expres- 
sive exhibition  of  suffering,  endeavored  in  vain  to  win  his 
confidence,  with  a  view  of  enticing  him  into  employments 
that  might  serve  to  relieve  his  care.  The  resolute  but  still 
quiet  boy  would  not  be  lured  into  a  forgetfulness  of  his 
origin.  He  appeared  to  comprehend  the  kind  intentions  of 
his  gentle  mistress,  and  frequently  he  had  even  suffered  him- 
self to  be  led  by  the  mother  into  the  centre  of  her  own  joy- 
ous and  merry  offspring  ;  but  it  was  only  to  look  upon  their 
amusements  with  his  former  cold  air,  and  to  return,  at  the 
first  opportunity,  to  his  beloved  site  at  the  pickets.  Still 
there  were  singular  and  even  mysterious  evidences  of  a 
growing  consciousness  of  the  nature  of  the  discourse  of  which 
he  was  occasionally  an  auditor,  that  would  have  betrayed 
greater  familiarity  with  the  language  and  opinions  of  the 


94  ^be  TOept  ot 


inhabitants  of  the  valley,  than  his  known  origin  and  his 
absolute  withdrawal  from  communication  could  give  reason 
to  expect.  This  important  and  inexplicable  fact  was  proved 
by  the  frequent  and  meaning  glances  of  his  dark  eye,  when 
aught  was  uttered  in  his  hearing  that  affected,  ever  so 
remotely,  his  own  condition  ;  and,  once  or  twice,  by  the 
haughty  gleamings  of  ferocity  that  escaped  him,  when 
Eben  Dudley  was  heard  to  vaunt  the  prowess  of  the  white 
men  in  their  encounters  with  the  original  owners  of  the 
country.  The  Puritan  did  not  fail  to  note  these  symptoms 
of  a  budding  intelligence,  as  the  pledges  of  a  fruit  that 
would  more  than  reward  his  pious  toil  ;  and  they  served  to 
furnish  a  great  relief  to  certain  occasional  repugnance, 
which  all  his  zeal  could  not  entirely  subdue,  at  being  the 
instrument  of  causing  so  much  suffering  to  one  who  after  all 
had  inflicted  no  positive  wrong  on  himself. 

At  the  period  of  which  we  are  writing,  the  climate  of 
these  States  differed  materially  from  that  which  is  now 
known  to  their  inhabitants.  A  winter  in  the  province  of 
Connecticut  was  attended  by  many  successive  falls  of  snow, 
until  the  earth  was  entirely  covered  with  firmly  compressed 
masses  of  the  frozen  element.  Occasional  thaws  and  pass- 
ing storms  of  rain,  that  were  driven  away  by  a  return  of 
the  clear  and  cutting  cold  of  the  northwestern  gales,  were 
wont  at  times  to  lay  a  covering  on  the  ground,  that  was  con- 
gealed to  the  consistency  of  ice,  until  men,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  beasts,  and  sometimes  sleighs,  were  seen  moving  on 
its  surface,  as  on  the  bed  of  a  frozen  lake.  During  the 
extremity  of  a  season  like  this,  the  hardy  borderers,  who 
could  not  toil  in  their  customary  pursuits,  were  wont  to 
range  the  forest  in  quest  of  game,  which,  driven  for  food  to 
known  resorting-places  in  the  woods,  then  fell  most  easily  a 
prey  to  the  intelligence  and  skill  of  such  men  as  Kben  Dud- 
ley and  Reuben  Ring. 

The  youths  never  left  the  dwellings  on  these  hunts,  with- 
out exciting  the  most  touching  interest  in  their  movements, 
on  the  part  of  the  Indian  boy.  On  all  such  occasions  he  would 
linger  at  the  loops  of  his  prison  throughout  the  day,  listening 
intently  to  the  reports  of  the  distant  muskets,  as  they 


Ube  Mept  of  Wteb^orWTCllisb  95 

resounded  in  the  forest ;  and  the  only  time,  during  a  captivity 
of  so  many  months,  that  he  was  ever  seen  to  smile,  was 
when  he  examined  the  grim  look  and  muscular  claws  of  a 
dead  panther,  that  had  fallen  beneath  the  aim  of  Dudley,  in 
one  of  these  excursions  to  the  mountains.  The  compassion 
of  all  the  borderers  was  powerfully  awakened  in  behalf  of 
the  patient  and  dignified  young  sufferer,  and  gladly  would 
they  have  given  their  captive  the  pleasure  of  joining  in  the 
chase,  had  not  the  task  been  one  that  was  far  from  easy  of 
accomplishment.  The  former  of  the  woodsmen  just  men- 
tioned had  even  volunteered  to  lead  him  like  a  hound  in  a 
leash  ;  but  this  was  a  species  of  degradation  against  which  it 
was  certain  that  a  young  Indian,  ambitious  of  the  character 
and  jealous  of  the  dignity  of  a  warrior,  would  have  openly 
rebelled. 

The  quick  interest  of  the  observant  Ruth  had,  as  it  has 
been  seen,  early  detected  a  growing  intelligence  in  the  boy. 
The  means  by  which  one  who  never  mingled  in  the  employ- 
ments, and  who  rarely  seemed  to  listen  to  the  dialogues  of 
the  family,  could  come  to  comprehend  the  meaning  of  a 
language  that  is  found  sufficiently  difficult  for  a  scholar, 
were,  however,  as  much  of  a  mystery  to  her  as  to  all  around 
her.  Still,  by  the  aid  of  that  instinctive  tact  which  so  often 
enlightens  the  mind  of  woman,  was  she  certain  of  the  fact. 
Profiting  by  this  knowledge,  she  assumed  the  task  of  endeav- 
oring to  obtain  an  honorary  pledge  from  her  prot£g£,  that, 
if  permitted  to  join  the  hunters,  he  would  return  to  the 
valley  at  the  end  of  the  day.  But  though  the  language  of 
the  woman  was  gentle  as  her  own  kind  nature,  and  her 
entreaties  that  he  would  give  some  evidence  of  having 
comprehended  her  meaning  were  zealous  and  oft  repeated, 
not  the  smallest  symptom  of  intelligence,  on  this  occasion, 
could  be  extracted  from  her  pupil.  Disappointed,  and  not 
without  sorrow,  Ruth  had  abandoned  the  compassionate 
design  in  despair,  when,  on  a  sudden,  the  old  Puritan,  who 
had  been  a  silent  spectator  of  her  fruitless  efforts,  announced 
his  faith  in  the  integrity  of  the  lad,  and  his  intention  to 
permit  him  to  make  one  of  the  very  next  party  that  should 
leave  the  habitation. 


96  ZTbe  Mept  of 


The  cause  of  this  sudden  change  in  the  hitherto  stem 
watchfulness  of  Mark  Heathcote  was,  like  so  many  other  of 
his  impulses,  a  secret  in  his  own  bosom.  It  has  just  been 
said,  that  during  the  time  Ruth  was  engaged  in  her  kind 
and  fruitless  experiment  to  extract  some  evidence  of  intelli- 
gence from  the  boy,  the  Puritan  was  a  close  and  interested 
observer  of  her  efforts.  He  appeared  to  sympathize  in  her 
disappointment,  but  the  weal  of  those  unconverted  tribes 
who  were  to  be  led  from  the  darkness  of  their  ways  by  the 
instrumentality  of  this  youth,  was  far  too  important  to  admit 
the  thought  of  rashly  losing  the  vantage-ground  he  had 
gained,  in  the  gradually-expanding  intellect  of  the  boy,  by 
running  the  hazard  of  an  escape.  To  all  appearance,  the 
intention  of  permitting  him  to  quit  the  defences  had  there- 
fore been  entirely  abandoned,  when  old  Mark  so  suddenly 
announced  a  change  of  resolution.  The  conjectures  on  the 
causes  of  this  unlooked-for  determination  were  exceedingly 
various.  Some  believed  that  the  Puritan  had  been  favored 
with  a  mysterious  intimation  of  the  pleasure  of  Providence 
in  the  matter  ;  and  others  thought  that,  beginning  to  despair 
of  success  in  his  undertaking,  he  was  willing  to  seek  for  a 
more  visible  manifestation  of  its  purposes,  by  hazarding  the 
experiment  of  trusting  the  boy  to  the  direction  of  his  own 
impulses.  All  appeared  to  be  of  opinion  that  if  the  lad 
returned,  the  circumstance  might  be  set  down  to  the  inter- 
vention of  a  miracle.  Still,  with  his  resolution  once  taken, 
the  purpose  of  Mark  Heathcote  remained  unchanged.  He 
announced  this  unexpected  intention  after  one  of  his  long 
and  solitary  visits  to  the  block-house,  where  it  is  possible 
he  had  held  a  powerful  spiritual  strife  on  the  occasion  ;  and, 
as  the  weather  was  exceedingly  favorable  for  such  an  object, 
he  commanded  his  dependants  to  prepare  to  make  the  sortie 
on  the  following  morning. 

A  sudden  and  an  uncontrollable  gleam  of  delight  flashed 
on  the  dark  features  of  the  captive,  when  Ruth  was  about 
to  place  in  his  hands  the  bow  of  her  own  son,  and,  by  signs 
and  words,  she  gave  him  to  understand  that  he  was  to  be 
permitted  to  use  it  in  the  free  air  of  the  forest.  But  the 
exhibition  of  pleasure  disappeared  as  quickly  as  it  had  been 


Ube  Wept  of  Mfsb^orWlimfsb  97 

betrayed.  When  the  lad  received  the  weapons,  it  was 
rather  with  the  manner  of  a  hunter  accustomed  to  their  use, 
than  of  one  to  whose  hands  they  had  so  long  been  strangers. 
As  he  left  the  gates  of  Wish-Ton-Wish,  the  handmaidens  of 
Ruth  clustered  about  him,  in  wondering  interest ;  for  it  was 
strange  to  see  a  youth  so  long  guarded  with  jealous  care, 
again  free  and  unwatched.  Notwithstanding  their  ordinary 
dependence  on  the  secret  lights  and  great  wisdom  of  the 
Puritan,  there  was  a  very  general  impression  that  the  lad, 
around  whose  presence  there  was  so  much  that  was  myste- 
rious and  of  interest  to  their  own  security,  was  now  to  be 
gazed  upon  for  the  last  time.  The  boy  himself  was  unmoved 
to  the  last.  Still  he  paused,  with  his  foot  on  the  threshold 
of  the  dwelling,  and  appeared  to  regard  Ruth  and  her  young 
offspring  with  momentary  concern.  Then,  assuming  the 
calm  air  of  an  Indian  warrior,  he  suffered  his  eye  to  grow 
cold  and  vacant,  following  with  a  nimble  step  the  hunters 
who  were  already  passing  without  the  palisadoes. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

"  Well,  I  am  your  theme :  you  have  the  start  of  me ;  I  am  de- 
jected ;  I  am  not  able  to  answer  the  Welsh  flannel  ;  ignorance  itself 
is  a  plummet  over  me  ;  use  me  as  you  will." 

Merry  Wives  of  Windsor. 

POETS,  aided  by  the  general  longing  of  human 
nature,  have  given  a  reputation  to  the  spring  that 
it  rarely  merits.  Though  this  imaginative  class  of 
writers  have  said  so  much  of  its  balmy  airs  and 
odoriferous  gales,  we  find  it  nearly  everywhere  the  most  re- 
luctant, churlish,  and  fickle  of  the  four  seasons.  It  is  the 
youth  of  the  year,  and,  like  that  probationary  period  of 
life,  most  fitted  to  afford  the  promise  of  better  things.  There 
is  a  constant  struggle  between  reality  and  hope  throughout 
the  whole  of  this  slow-moving  and  treacherous  period, 
which  has  an  unavoidable  tendency  to  deceive.  All  that  is 
said  of  its  grateful  productions  is  fallacious,  for  the  earth  is 
as  little  likely  to  yield  a  generous  tribute  without  the 
quickening  influence  of  the  summer  heats,  as  man  is  wont 
to  bring  forth  commendable  fruits  without  the  agency  of  a 
higher  moral  power  than  any  he  possesses  in  virtue  of  his 
innate  propensities.  On  the  other  hand,  the  fall  of  the  year 
possesses  a  sweetness,  a  repose,  and  a  consistency,  which 
may  be  justly  likened  to  the  decline  of  a  well-spent  life.  It 
is,  in  all  countries  and  in  every  climate,  the  period  when 
physical  and  moral  causes  unite  to  furnish  the  richest 
sources  of  enjoyment.  If  the  spring  is  the  time  of  hope, 
autumn  is  the  season  of  fruition.  There  is  just  enough  of 
change  to  give  zest  to  the  current  of  existence,  while  there 
is  too  little  of  vicissitude  to  be  pregnant  of  disappointment. 
Succeeding  to  the  nakedness  of  winter,  the  spring  is  grate- 


TTbe  Wept  of  Misb^oiWJKIiteb          99 

ful  by  comparison  ;  while  the  glories  of  autumn  are  enjoyed 
after  the  genial  powers  of  summer  have  been  lavishly 
expended. 

In  obedience  to  this  great  law  of  the  earth,  let  poets  sing 
and  fancy  as  they  may,  the  spring  anC  autumn  of  America 
partake  largely  of  the  universally  distinctive  characters  of 
the  rival  seasons.  What  nature  has  done  on  this  continent 
has  not  been  done  niggardly  ;  and,  while  we  may  boast  of 
a  decline  of  the  year  that  certainly  rivals,  and,  with  few 
exceptions,  eclipses  the  glories  of  most  of  the  climates  of  the 
Old  World,  the  opening  months  rarely  fail  of  equalizing  the 
gifts  of  Providence,  by  a  very  decided  exhibition  of  all  the 
disagreeable  qualities  for  which  they  are  remarkable. 

More  than  half  a  year  had  elapsed,  between  the  time 
when  the  Indian  boy  had  been  found  lurking  in  the  valley 
of  the  Heathcotes,  and  that  day  when  he  was  first  permitted 
to  go  into  the  forest,  fettered  by  no  other  restraint  than  the 
moral  tie  which  the  owner  of  the  valley  either  knew,  or 
fancied,  would  not  fail  to  cause  him  to  return  to  a  bondage 
he  had  found  so  irksome.  It  was  April  ;  but  it  was  April 
as  the  month  was  known  a  century  ago  in  Connecticut,  and 
as  it  is  even  now  so  often  found  to  disappoint  all  expecta- 
tions of  that  capricious  season  of  the  year.  The  weather 
had  returned  suddenly  and  violently  to  the  rigor  of  winter. 
A  thaw  had  been  succeeded  by  a  storm  of  snow  and  sleet, 
and  the  interlude  of  the  spring-time  of  blossoms  had  termi- 
nated with  a  biting  gale  from  the  northwest,  which  had 
apparently  placed  a  permanent  seal  on  the  lingering  pres- 
ence of  a  second  February. 

On  the  morning  that  Content  led  his  followers  into  the 
forest,  they  issued  from  the  postern  clad  in  coats  of  skin. 
Their  lower  limbs  were  protected  by  the  coarse  leggings 
which  they  had  worn  in  so  many  previous  hunts  during  the 
past  winter,  if  that  might  be  called  past  which  had  returned, 
weakened  but  little  of  its  keenness,  and  bearing  all  the  out- 
ward marks  of  January.  When  last  seen,  Kben  Dudley, 
the  heaviest  of  the  band,  was  moving  firmly  on  the  crust  of 
the  snow,  with  a  step  as  sure  as  if  he  had  trodden  on  the 
frozen  earth  itself.  More  than  one  of  the  maidens  declared, 


ioo  TTbe  Mept  of 


that  though  they  had  endeavored  to  trace  the  footsteps  of 
the  hunters  from  the  palisadoes,  it  would  have  exceeded 
even  the  sagacity  of  an  Indian  eye  to  follow  their  trail  along 
the  icy  path  they  travelled. 

Hour  after  hour  passed  without  bringing  tidings  from  the 
chase.  The  reports  of  fire-arms  had  indeed  been  occasion- 
ally heard,  ringing  among  the  arches  of  the  woods  ;  and 
broken  echoes  were,  for  some  hours,  rolling  from  one  recess 
of  the  hills  to  another.  But  even  these  signs  of  the  pres- 
ence of  the  hunters  gradually  receded  with  the  advance  of 
the  day  ;  and  long  ere  the  sun  had  gained  the  meridian, 
and  its  warmth,  at  that  advanced  season  not  without  power, 
was  shed  into  the  valley,  the  whole  range  of  the  adjoining 
forest  lay  in  its  ordinary  dull  and  solemn  silence. 

The  incident  of  the  hunt,  apart  from  the  absence  of  the 
Indian  boy,  was  one  of  too  common  occurrence  to  give 
birth  to  any  particular  motives  of  excitement.  Ruth  quietly 
busied  herself  among  her  women,  and  when  the  recollection 
of  those  who  were  scouring  the  neighboring  forest  came  at 
all  to  her  mind,  it  was  coupled  with  the  care  with  which 
she  was  providing  to  administer  to  their  comforts,  after  the 
fatigue  of  a  day  of  extraordinary  personal  efforts.  This  was 
a  duty  never  lightly  performed.  Her  situation  was  one  em- 
inently fitted  to  foster  the  best  affections  of  woman,  since 
it  admitted  of  few  temptations  to  yield  to  other  than  the 
most  natural  feeling  ;  she  was,  in  consequence,  known  on 
all  occasions  to  exercise  them  with  the  devotedness  of  her  sex. 

"Thy  father  and  his  companions  will  look  on  our  care 
with  pleasure,"  said  the  thoughtful  matron  to  her  youthful 
image,  as  she  directed  a  more  than  usual  provision  of  her 
larder  to  be  got  in  readiness  for  the  hunters  ;  "  home  is 
ever  sweetest  after  toil  and  exposure.  '  ' 

"  I  doubt  if  Mark  be  not  ready  to  faint  with  so  weary  a 
march,"  said  the  child  already  introduced  by  the  name  of 
Martha  ;  "  he  is  young  to  go  into  the  woods,  with  scouters 
tall  as  great  Dudley." 

"  And  the  heathen,"  added  the  little  Ruth,  "  he  is  young 
too  as  Mark,  though  more  used  to  the  toil.  It  may  be, 
mother,  that  he  will  never  come  to  us  more  !  '  • 


Wept  of  Wisb^on^Wfsb          101 

* '  That  would  grieve  our  venerable  parent ;  for  thou 
knowest,  Ruth,  that  he  hath  hopes  of  working  on  the  mind 
of  the  boy,  until  his  savage  nature  shall  yield  to  the  secret 
power.  But  the  sun  is  falling  behind  the  hill,  and  the 
evening  is  coming  in  cool  as  winter  ;  go  to  the  postern,  and 
look  out  upon  the  fields.  I  would  know  if  there  be  any 
signs  of  thy  father  and  his  party." 

Though  Ruth  gave  this  mandate  to  her  daughter,  she  did 
not  the  less  neglect  to  exercise  her  own  faculties  in  the 
same  grateful  office.  While  the  children  went,  as  they 
were  ordered,  to  the  outer  gate,  the  matron  herself  ascended 
to  the  lower  apartment  of  the  block,  and,  from  its  different 
loops,  she  took  a  long  and  anxious  survey  of  the  limited 
prospect.  The  shadows  of  the  trees  that  lined  the  western 
side  of  the  view  were  already  thrown  far  across  the  broad 
sheet  of  frozen  snow,  and  the  sudden  chill  which  succeeded 
the  disappearance  of  the  sun  announced  the  rapid  approach 
of  a  night  that  promised  to  support  the  severe  character  of 
the  past  day.  A  freezing  wind,  which  had  brought  with  it 
the  cold  airs  of  the  Great  Lakes,  and  which  had  even  tri- 
umphed over  the  more  natural  influence  of  an  April  sun, 
had  however  fallen,  leaving  a  temperature  not  unlike  that 
which  dwells  in  the  milder  seasons  of  the  year  among  the 
glaciers  of  the  upper  Alps. 

Ruth  was  too  long  accustomed  to  such  forest  scenes,  and 
to  such  a  ' '  lingering  of  winter  in  the  lap  of  May, ' '  to  feel, 
on  their  account,  any  additional  uneasiness.  Bnt  the  hour 
had  now  arrived  when  she  had  reason  to  look  for  the  return 
of  the  hunters.  With  the  expectation  of  seeing  their  forms 
issuing  from  the  forest,  came  the  anxiety  which  is  an  un- 
avoidable attendant  of  disappointment.  The  shadows  con- 
tinued to  deepen  in  the  valley,  until  the  gloom  thickened 
to  the  darkness  of  night,  without  bringing  any  tidings  from 
those  without. 

When  a  delay  which  was  unusual  in  the  members  of  a 
family  circumstanced  like  that  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish  came 
to  be  coupled  with  various  little  observations  that  had  been 
made  during  the  day,  it  was  thought  that  reasons  for  alarm 
were  beginning,  at  each  instant,  to  grow  more  plausible. 


102          Ube  Wept  of 


Reports  of  fire-arms  had  been  heard,  at  an  early  hour,  from 
opposite  points  in  the  hills,  and  in  a  manner  too  distinct  to 
be  mistaken  for  echoes  ;  a  certain  proof  that  the  different 
members  of  the  hurt  had  separated  in  the  forest.  Under 
such  circumstances,  it  was  not  difficult  for  the  imagination 
of  a  wife  and  a  mother,  of  a  sister,  or  of  her  who  secretly 
confessed  a  still  more  tender  interest  in  some  one  of  the 
hunters,  to  conjure  to  the  imagination  the  numberless  dan- 
gers to  which  those  who  were  engaged  in  these  expeditions 
were  known  to  be  exposed. 

"I  doubt  that  the  chase  hath  drawn  them  farther  from 
the  valley  than  is  fitting  for  the  hour  and  the  season,  '  '  ob- 
served Ruth  to  her  maidens,  who  had  gathered  in  a  group 
about  her,  at  a  point  that  overlooked  as  much  of  the  cleared 
land  around  the  buildings  as  the  darkness  would  allow  ; 
"the  gravest  man  becomes  thoughtless  as  the  unreflecting 
child,  when  led  by  the  eagerness  of  the  pursuit.  It  is  the 
duty  of  older  heads  to  think  for  those  that  want  experience 
—  but  into  what  indiscreet  complaints  are  my  fears  leading  ! 
It  may  be  that  my  husband  is  even  now  striving  to  collect 
his  party,  in  order  to  return.  Have  any  heard  his  conch 
sounding  the  recall  ?  '  ' 

*  *  The  woods  are  still  as  the  day  the  first  echo  of  the  axe  was 
heard  among  the  trees,"  returned  Faith.  "  I  did  hear  that 
which  sounded  like  a  strain  of  brawling  Dudley's  songs,  but  it 
proved  to  be  no  more  than  the  lowing  of  one  of  his  own  oxen. 
Perchance  the  animal  misseth  some  of  his  master's  care." 

"  Whittal  Ring  hath  looked  to  the  beasts,  and  it  may  not 
be  that  he  hath  neglected  to  feed,  among  others,  the  crea- 
tures of  Dudley.  Thy  mind  is  given  to  levity,  Faith,  in  the 
matter  of  this  young  man.  It  is  not  seemly  that  one  of  thy 
years  and  sex  should  manifest  so  great  displeasure  at  the 
name  of  a  youth  who  is  of  an  honest  nature,  and  of  honest 
habits,  too,  though  he  may  appear  ungainly  to  the  eye,  and 
have  so  little  favor  with  one  of  thy  disposition." 

"  I  did  not  fashion  the  man,"  said  Faith,  biting  her  lip, 
and  tossing  her  head  ;  '  *  nor  is  it  aught  to  me  whether  he 
be  gainly  or  not.  As  to  my  favor,  when  he  asks  it,  the 
man  shall  not  wait  long  to  know  the  answer.  But  is  not 


TTbe  Wept  of  Mfsb^orWlKIUsb  103 


yon  figure  the  fellow  himself,  Madam  Heathcote? — 
coming  in  from  the  eastern  hill,  along  the  orchard  path. 
The  form  I  mean  is  just  here  ;  you  may  see  it,  at  this 
moment,  turning  by  the  bend  in  the  brook. ' ' 

' '  There  is  one  of  a  certainty,  and  it  should  be  one  of  our 
hunting  party,  too ;  and  yet  he  doth  not  seem  to  be  that  of  a 
size  or  of  a  gait  like  that  of  Kben  Dudley.  Thou  shouldst 
have  a  knowledge  of  thy  kindred,  girl ;  to  me  it  seemeth 
thy  brother." 

' '  Truly,  it  may  be  Reuben  Ring ;  still  it  hath  much  of 
the  swagger  of  the  other,  though  their  stature  be  nearly 
equal ;  the  manner  of  carrying  the  musket  is  much  the 
same  with  all  the  borderers,  too ;  one  cannot  easily  tell  the 
form  of  a  man  from  a  stump,  by  this  light,  and  yet  do  I 
think  it  will  prove  to  be  the  loitering  Dudley. ' ' 

"  Loiterer  or  not,  he  is  the  first  to  return  from  this  long 
and  weary  chase, ' '  said  Ruth,  breathing  heavily,  like  one 
who  regretted  that  the  truth  were  so.  "Go  thou  to  the 
postern,  and  admit  him,  girl.  I  ordered  bolts  to  be  drawn, 
for  I  like  not  to  leave  a  fortress  defended  by  a  female  gar- 
rison, at  this  hour,  with  open  gates.  I  will  hie  to  the 
dwelling  and  see  to  the  comforts  of  those  who  are  a-hun- 
gered,  since  it  will  not  be  long  ere  we  shall  have  more  of 
them  at  hand." 

Faith  complied,  with  affected  indifference  and  sufficient 
delay.  By  the  time  she  had  reached  the  place  of  admis- 
sion, a  form  was  seen  ascending  the  acclivity,  and  taking 
the  direction  which  led  to  the  same  spot.  In  the  next 
minute  a  rude  effort  to  enter  announced  an  arrival  without. 

"  Gently,  Master  Dudley,"  said  the  wilful  girl,  who  held 
the  bolt  with  one  hand,  though  she  maliciously  delayed  to 
remove  it.  ' '  We  know  thou  art  powerful  of  arm,  and  yet 
the  palisadoes  will  scarcely  fall  at  thy  touch.  Here  are  no 
Samsons  to  pull  down  the  pillars  on  our  heads.  Perhaps 
we  may  not  be  disposed  to  give  entrance  to  them  who  stay 
abroad  out  of  all  season. ' ' 

4 'Open  the  postern,  girl,"  said  Kben  Dudley;  "after 
which,  if  thou  hast  aught  to  say,  we  shall  be  better  conven- 
ienced  for  discourse. " 


of 


"  It  may  be  that  thy  conversation  is  most  agreeable  when 
heard  from  without.  Render  an  account  of  thy  backslidings, 
throughout  this  day,  penitent  Dudley,  that  I  may  take  pity 
on  thy  weariness.  But  lest  hunger  should  have  overcome 
thy  memory,  I  may  serve  to  help  thee  to  the  particulars. 
The  first  of  thy  offences  was  to  consume  more  than  thy 
portion  of  the  cold  meats  ;  the  second  was  to  suffer  Reu- 
ben Ring  to  kill  the  deer,  and  for  thee  to  claim  it  ;  and  a 
third  was  a  trick  thou  hast  of  listening  so  much  to  thine 
own  voice,  that  even  the  beasts  fled  thee,  from  dislike  of 
thy  noise." 

"Thou  triflest  unseasonably,  Faith;  I  would  speak  with 
the  captain  without  delay." 

"It  may  be  that  he  is  better  employed  than  to  desire 
such  company.  Thou  art  not  the  only  strange  animal  by 
many  who  hath  roared  at  the  gate  of  Wish-Ton-Wish." 

'  '  Have  any  come  within  the  day,  Faith  ?  '  '  demanded  the 
borderer,  with  the  interest  such  an  event  would  be  likely  to 
create  in  the  mind  of  one  who  habitually  lived  in  so  great 
retirement. 

"What  sayest  thou  to  a  second  visit  from  the  gentle- 
spoken  stranger?  he  who  favored  us  with  so  much  gay 
discourse,  the  by  gone  fall  of  the  year.  That  would  be  a 
guest  fit  to  receive  !  I  warrant  me  his  knock  would  not  be 
heard  a  second  time." 

"The  gallant  had  better  beware  the  moon  !  "  exclaimed 
Dudley,  striking  the  butt  of  his  musket  against  the  ice  with 
so  much  force  as  to  cause  his  companion  to  start  in  alarm. 
"What  fool's  errand  hath  again  brought  him  to  prick  his 
nag  so  deep  into  the  forest  ?  '  ' 

"Nay,  thy  wit  is  ever  like  the  unbroken  colt,  a  head- 
strong runaway.  I  said  not,  in  full  meaning,  that  the  man 
had  come  ;  I  only  invited  thee  to  give  an  opinion  in  the 
event  that  he  should  arrive  unexpectedly,  though  I  am  far 
from  certain  that  any  here  ever  expect  to  see  his  face  again." 

"This  is  foolish  prating,"  returned  the  youth,  provoked 
at  the  exhibition  of  jealousy  into  which  he  had  been  incau- 
tiously betrayed.  "I  tell  thee  to  withdraw  the  bolt,  for  I 
have  great  need  to  speak  with  the  captain,  or  with  his  son." 


TTbc  Wept  of  mtsb^on^mtsb  105 

"Thou  mayst  open  thy  mind  to  the  first,  if  he  will  listen 
to  what  thou  hast  to  say, ' '  returned  the  girl,  removing  the 
impediment  to  his  entrance  ;  * '  but  thou  wilt  sooner  get  the 
ear  of  the  other  by  remaining  at  the  gate,  since  he  has  not 
yet  come  in  from  the  forest." 

Dudley  recoiled  a  pace,  and  repeated  her  words  in  the 
tone  of  one  who  admitted  a  feeling  of  alarm  to  mingle  with 
his  surprise. 

' '  Not  in  from  the  forest !  "  he  said  ;  ' '  surely  there  are 
none  abroad,  now  that  I  am  home  ! ' ' 

*  *  Why  dost  say  it  ?     I  have  put  my  jibes  upon  thee  more 
in  payment  of  ancient  transgressions  than  for  any  present 
offence.     So  far  from  being  last,  thou  art  the  first  of  the 
hunters  we  have  yet  seen.     Go  in  to  the  madam  without 
delay,  and  tell  her  of  the  danger,  if  any  there  be,  that  we 
take  speedy  measures  for  our  safety." 

4 'That  would  do  little  good,  truly,"  muttered  the  bor- 
derer, like  one  musing.  "Stay  thou  here,  and  watch  the 
postern,  Faith  ;  I  will  back  to  the  woods  ;  for  a  timely 
word  or  a  signal  blow  from  my  conch  might  quicken  their 
footsteps." 

"  What  madness  hath  beset  thee,  Dudley  !  Thou  wouldst 
not  go  into  the  forest  again,  at  this  hour,  and  alone,  if  there 
be  reason  for  fear  !  Come  farther  within  the  gate,  man, 
that  I  may  draw  the  bolt.  The  madam  will  wonder  that  we 
tarry  here  so  long. ' ' 

*  *  Ha  ! — I  hear  feet  moving  in  the  meadow  ;  I  know  it  by 
the  creaking  of  the  snow  ;  the  others  are  not  lagging, ' ' 

Notwithstanding  the  apparent  certainty  of  the  young 
man,  instead  of  going  forth  to  meet  his  friends,  he  with- 
drew a  step,  and  with  his  own  hand  drew  the  bolt  that 
Faith  had  just  desired  might  be  fastened ;  taking  care  at 
the  same  time  to  let  fall  a  swinging  bar  of  wood,  which 
gave  additional  security  to  the  fastenings  of  the  postern. 
His  apprehensions,  if  any  such  had  induced  this  caution, 
were,  however,  unnecessary  ;  for  ere  he  had  time  to  make 
or  even  to  reflect  on  any  further  movement,  admission  was 
demanded  in  the  well-known  voice  of  the  son  of  him  who 
owned  the  valley.  The  bustle  of  the  arrival — for  with  Con- 


106          Ube  Wept  of 


tent  entered  a  group  of  companions  loaded  with  venison- 
put  an  end  to  the  dialogue.  Faith  seized  the  opportunity 
to  glide  away  in  the  obscurity,  in  order  to  announce  to  her 
mistress  that  the  hunters  had  returned  —  an  office  that  she 
performed  without  entering  at  all  into  the  particulars  of  her 
own  interview  with  Eben  Dudley. 

It  is  needless  to  dwell  on  the  satisfaction  with  which 
Ruth  received  her  husband  and  son,  after  the  uneasiness  she 
had  just  suffered.  Though  the  severe  manners  of  the 
province  admitted  of  no  violent  exhibition  of  passing  emo- 
tions, secret  joy  was  reigning  in  the  mild  eyes,  and  glowing 
about  the  flushed  cheeks  of  the  discreet  matron,  while  she 
personally  officiated  in  the  offices  of  the  evening  meal. 

The  party  had  returned,  teeming  with  no  extraordinary 
incidents  ;  nor  did  they  appear  to  be  disturbed  with  any  of 
that  seriousness  of  air  which  had  so  unequivocally  charac- 
terized the  deportment  of  him  who  had  preceded  them. 
On  the  contrary,  each  had  his  quiet  tale  to  relate,  now  per- 
haps at  the  expense  of  a  luckless  companion,  and  sometimes 
in  order  that  no  part  of  his  own  individual  skill  as  a  hunter 
should  be  unknown.  The  delay  was  accounted  for,  as  sim- 
ilar delays  are  commonly  explained,  by  distance  and  the 
temptations  of  an  unusually  successful  chase.  As  the  appe- 
tites of  those  who  had  spent  the  day  in  the  exciting  toil 
were  keen,  and  the  viands  tempting,  the  first  half-hour 
passed  quickly,  as  all  such  half-hours  are  wont  to  pass, 
in  garrulous  recitals  of  personal  exploits,  and  of  the  hair- 
breadth escapes  of  deer,  which,  had  fortune  not  been  fickle, 
should  have  now  been  present  as  trophies  of  the  skill  of  the 
hand  by  which  they  fell.  It  was  only  after  personal  vanity 
was  sufficiently  appeased,  and  when  the  hunger  even  of  a 
border-man  could  achieve  no  more,  that  the  hunters  began 
to  look  about  them  with  a  diminished  excitement,  and  to 
discuss  the  events  of  the  day  with  a  fitting  calmness,  and 
with  a  discretion  more  suited  to  their  ordinary  self-com- 
mand. 

"  We  lost  the  sound  of  thy  conch,  wandering  Dudley,  as 
we  fell  into  the  deep  hollow  of  the  mountain,"  said  Content, 
in  a  pause  of  the  discourse  ;  '  '  since  which  time,  neither  eye 


Wept  of  Misb*Uoru=Wteb  107 

nor  ear  of  any  has  had  trace  of  thy  movements,  until  we 
met  thee  at  the  postern,  stationed  like  a  looker-out  on  his 
watch." 

The  individual  addressed  had  mingled  in  none  of  the 
gayety  of  the  hour.  While  others  fed  freely,  or  joined  in 
the  quiet  joke,  which  could  escape  the  lips  of  even  men 
chastened  as  his  companions,  Kben  Dudley  had  tasted  spar- 
ingly of  the  viands.  Nor  had  the  muscles  of  his  hard  coun- 
tenance once  relaxed  in  a  smile.  A  gravity  and  a  silence 
so  extraordinary,  in  one  so  little  accustomed  to  exhibit  either 
quality,  did  not  fail  to  attract  attention.  It  was  universally 
ascribed  to  the  circumstance  that  he  had  returned  empty- 
handed  from  the  hunt ;  and  now  that  one  having  authority 
had  seen  fit  to  give  such  a  direction  to  the  discourse,  the  im- 
aginary delinquent  was  not  permitted  to  escape  unscathed. 

"  The  butcher  had  little  to  do  with  this  day's  killing," 
said  one  of  the  young  men  ;  *  *  as  a  punishment  for  his  absence 
from  the  slaughter,  he  should  be  made  to  go  on  the  hill  and 
bring  in  the  two  bucks  he  will  find  hanging  from  a  maple 
sapling  near  to  the  drinking  spring.  Our  meat  should  pass 
through  his  hands  in  some  fashion  or  other,  else  will  it  lack 
savor. ' ' 

' '  Ever  since  the  death  of  the  straggling  wether,  the  tradfc 
of  Kben  hath  been  at  a  stand,"  added  another ;  "  the  down- 
hearted youth  seems  like  one  ready  to  give  up  his  calling 
to  the  first  stranger  that  shall  ask  it." 

"  Creatures  which  run  at  large  prove  better  mutton  than 
the  stalled  wether, '  *  continued  a  third  ;  ' '  and  thereby  cus- 
tom was  getting  low  before  this  hunt.  Beyond  a  doubt,  he 
has  a  full  supply  for  all  who  shall  be  likely  to  seek  venison 
in  his  stall." 

Ruth  observed  that  the  countenance  of  her  husband  grew 
grave,  at  these  allusions  to  an  event  he  had  always  seemed 
to  wish  forgotten  ;  and  she  interposed,  with  a  view  to  lead 
the  minds  of  those  who  listened  back  to  matter  more  fitting 
to  be  discussed. 

"  How  is  this  ?  "  she  exclaimed  in  haste  ;  "  hath  the  stout 
Dudley  lost  any  of  his  craft  ?  I  have  never  counted  with 
greater  certainty  on  the  riches  of  the  table,  than  when  he 


to8          ttbe  Wept  of 


hath  been  sent  among  the  hills  for  the  fat  deer  or  the  tendei 
turkey.  It  would  much  grieve  me  to  learn  that  he  begin- 
neth  to  lack  the  hunter's  skill." 

"  The  man  is  getting  melancholy  with  over-  feeding,  "  mut- 
tered the  wilful  tones  of  one  busied  among  the  vessels  in  a 
distant  part  of  the  room.  "  He  taketh  his  exercise  alone, 
in  order  that  none  need  discover  the  failing.  I  think  he 
be  much  disposed  to  go  over  sea,  in  order  to  become  a 
trooper." 

Until  now,  the  subject  of  these  mirthful  attacks  had 
listened  like  one  too  confident  of  his  established  reputation 
to  feel  concern,  but  at  the  sound  of  the  last  speaker's  voice, 
he  grasped  the  bushy  covering  of  one  entire  cheek  in  his 
hand,  and  turning  a  reproachful  and  irritated  glance  at  the 
already  half-repentant  eye  of  Faith  Ring,  all  his  natural 
spirit  returned. 

4  'It  maybe  that  my  skill  hath  left  me,"  he  said,  "and 
that  I  love  to  be  alone,  rather  than  to  be  troubled  with  the 
company  of  some  that  might  readily  be  named,  no  reference 
being  had  to  such  gallants  as  ride  up  and  down  the  colony, 
putting  evil  opinions  into  the  thoughts  of  honest  men's 
daughters  ;  but  why  is  Eben  Dudley  to  bear  all  the  small 
shot  of  your  humors,  when  there  is  another  who,  it  might 
seem,  hath  strayed  even  farther  from  your  trail  than 
he?" 

Eye  sought  eye,  and  each  youth  by  hasty  glances  en- 
deavored to  read  the  countenances  of  all  the  rest  of  the 
company,  in  order  to  learn  who  the  absentee  might  be. 
The  young  borderers  shook  their  heads,  as  the  features  of 
every  well-known  face  were  recognized,  and  a  general  ex- 
clamation of  denial  was  about  to  break  from  their  lips, 
when  Ruth  exclaimed,  — 

'  '  Truly,  the  Indian  is  wanting  !  '  ' 

So  constant  was  the  apprehension  of  danger  from  the 
savage's  in  the  breasts  of  those  who  dwelt  on  that  exposed 
frontier,  that  every  man  arose  at  the  words,  by  a  sudden  and 
common  impulse,  and  each  individual  gazed  about  him  in  a 
surprise  that  was  a  little  akin  to  dismay. 

"  The  boy  was  with  us  when  we  quitted  the  forest,"  said 


IKHept  of  Mteb*ZTon*Mfsb          109 

Content,  after  a  moment  of  death-like  stillness.  "I  spoke 
to  him  in  commendation  of  his  activity,  and  of  the  knowl- 
edge he  had  shown  in  beating  up  the  secret  places  of  the 
deer ;  though  there  is  little  reason  to  think  my  words  were 
understood." 

' '  And  were  it  not  sinful  to  take  such  solemn  evidence  in 
behalf  of  so  light  a  matter,  I  could  be  qualified  on  the  Book 
itself,  that  he  was  at  my  elbow  as  we  entered  the  orchard, ' ' 
added  Reuben  Ring,  a  man  renowned  in  that  little  com- 
munity for  the  accuracy  of  his  vision. 

* '  And  I  will  make  oath  or  declaration  of  any  sort,  law- 
ful or  conscientious,  that  he  came  not  within  the  postern 
when  it  was  opened  by  my  own  hand,"  returned  Kben 
Dudley.  ' '  I  told  off  the  number  of  the  party  as  you  passed, 
and  right  sure  am  I  that  no  redskin  entered." 

"  Canst  thou  tell  us  aught  of  the  lad?  "  demanded  Ruth, 
quick  to  take  the  alarm  on  a  subject  that  had  so  long  exer- 
cised her  care  and  given  food  to  her  imagination. 

' '  Nothing.  With  me  he  hath  not  been  seen  since  the  turn 
of  the  day.  I  have  not  seen  the  face  of  living  man  from 
that  moment,  unless  in  truth  one  of  mysterious  character, 
whom  I  met  in  the  forest,  may  be  so  called. ' ' 

The  manner  in  which  the  woodsman  spoke  was  too  serious 
and  too  natural,  not  to  give  birth  in  his  auditors  to  some  of 
his  own  gravity.  Perhaps  the  appearance  of  the  Puritan, 
at  that  moment,  aided  in  quieting  the  levity  that  had  been 
uppermost  in  the  minds  of  the  young  men  ;  for  it  is  certain 
that,  when  he  entered,  a  deeper  and  a  general  curiosity  came 
over  the  countenances  of  all  present.  Content  waited  a 
moment  in  respectful  silence,  till  his  father  had  moved 
slowly  through  the  circle,  and  then  he  prepared  himself 
to  look  further  into  an  affair  that  began  to  assume  the 
appearance  of  matter  worthy  of  investigation. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

44 'Last  night  of  all, 

When  yon  same  star,  that 's  westward  from  the  pole, 
Had  made  its  course  to  illume  that  part  of  heaven 
Where  now  it  burns,  Marcellus  and  myself, 
The  bell  then  beating  one  ' — 
'Peace,  but  break  thee  off;  look,  where  it  comes  again  ! '" 

Hamlet. 

IT  is  our  duty  as  faithful  historians  of  the  events  recorded 
in   this  homely  legend,  to   conceal   no  circumstance 
which  may  throw  the  necessary  degree  of  light  on  its 
incidents,    nor   any  opinion   that   may   serve  for  the 
better  instruction  of  the  reader  in  the  characters  of  its  actors. 
In  order  that  this  obligation  may  be  discharged  with  suffi- 
cient clearness  and  precision,  it  has  now  become  necessary 
to  make  a  short  digression  from  the  immediate  action  of  the 
tale. 

Enough  has  been  already  shown  to  prove  that  the  Heath- 
cotes  lived  at  a  time,  and  in  a  country,  where  very  quaint 
and  peculiar  religious  dogmas  had  the  ascendency.  At  a 
period  when  visible  manifestations  of  the  goodness  of  Provi- 
dence, not  only  in  spiritual  but  in  temporal  gifts,  were 
confidently  expected  and  openly  proclaimed,  it  is  not  at  all 
surprising  that  more  evil  agencies  should  be  thought  to  ex- 
ercise their  power  in  a  manner  that  is  somewhat  opposed  to 
the  experience  of  our  own  age.  As  we  have  no  wish,  how- 
ever, to  make  these  pages  the  vehicle  of  a  theological  or 
metaphysical  controversy,  we  shall  deal  tenderly  with  certain 
important  events,  that  most  of  the  writers  who  were  contem- 
porary with  the  facts  assert  took  place  in  the  colonies  of  New 
England,  at  and  about  the  period  of  which  we  are  now 

no 


TTbe  Wept  of  Wisb^on^Misb          m 

writing.  It  is  sufficiently  known  that  the  art  of  witchcraft, 
and  one  even  still  more  diabolical  and  direct  in  its  origin, 
were  then  believed  to  flourish  in  that  quarter  of  the  world, 
to  a  degree  that  was  probably  in  a  very  just  proportion  to 
the  neglect  with  which  most  of  the  other  arts  of  life  were 
treated. 

There  is  so  much  grave  and  respectable  authority  to  prove 
the  existence  of  these  evil  influences,  that  it  requires  a  pen 
hardier  than  any  we  wield,  to  attack  them  without  a  suitable 
motive.  "  Flashy  people,  "  says  the  learned  and  pious 
Cotton  Mather,  Doctor  of  Divinity  and  Fellow  of  the  Royal 
Society,  ' '  may  burlesque  these  things  :  but  when  hundreds 
of  the  most  sober  people,  in  a  country  where  they  have  as 
much  mother  wit,  certainly,  as  the  rest  of  mankind,  know 
them  to  be  true,  nothing  but  the  absurd  and  froward  spirit  of 
Sadducism  can  question  them."  Against  this  grave  and 
credited  authority,  we  pretend  to  raise  no  question  of 
skepticism.  We  submit  to  the  testimony  of  such  a  writer 
as  conclusive,  though  as  credulity  is  sometimes  found  to  be 
bounded  by  geographical  limits,  and  to  possess  something  of 
a  national  character,  it  may  be  prudent  to  refer  certain  readers 
who  dwell  in  the  other  hemisphere  to  the  Common  I,aw  of 
Kngland  on  this  interesting  subject,  as  it  is  ingeniously 
expounded  by  Keble,  and  approved  of  by  the  twelve  judges 
of  that  highly  civilized  and  enlightened  island.  With  this 
brief  reference  to  so  grave  authorities  in  support  of  what  we 
have  now  to  offer,  we  shall  return  to  the  matter  of  the 
narrative,  fully  trusting  that  its  incidents  will  throw  some  ad- 
ditional light  on  the  subject  of  so  deep  and  so  general  concern. 

Content  waited  respectfully  until  his  father  had  taken  his 
seat,  and  then,  perceiving  that  the  venerable  Puritan  had  no 
immediate  intention  of  moving  personally  in  the  affair,  he 
commenced  the  examination  of  his  dependant  as  follows  ; 
opening  the  matter  with  a  seriousness  that  was  abundantly 
warranted  by  the  gravity  of  the  subject  itself. 

1  *  Thou  hast  spoken  of  one  met  in  the  forest, ' '  he  said ; 
' '  proceed  with  the  purport  of  that  interview,  and  tell  us  of 
what  manner  of  man  it  was." 

Thus  directly  interrogated,  Eben  Dudley  disposed  himself 


H2          ZTbe  Wept  of 


to  give  a  full  and  satisfactory  answer.  First  casting  a  glance 
around,  so  as  to  embrace  every  curious  and  eager  counte- 
nance, and  letting  his  look  rest  a  little  longer  than  common 
on  a  half-interested,  half-incredulous,  and  somewhat  ironical 
dark  eye,  that  was  riveted  on  his  own  from  a  distant  corner 
of  the  room,  he  commenced  his  statement  as  follows  :  — 

"It  is  known  to  you  all,  '  '  said  the  borderer,  '  '  that  when 
we  had  gained  the  mountain-top  there  was  a  division  of  our 
numbers,  in  such  a  fashion  that  each  hunter  should  sweep 
his  own  range  of  the  forest,  in  order  that  neither  moose, 
deer,  nor  bear,  might  have  reasonable  chance  of  escape. 
Being  of  large  frame,  and  it  may  be  of  swifter  foot  than 
common,  the  young  captain  saw  fit  to  command  Reuben 
Ring  to  flank  one  end  of  the  line,  and  a  man  who  is  nothing 
short  of  him  in  either  speed  or  strength  to  do  the  same  duty 
on  the  other.  There  was  nothing  particularly  worthy  of 
mention  that  took  place  on  the  flank  I  held  for  the  first  two 
hours  ;  unless,  indeed,  the  fact  that  three  several  times  did 
I  fall  upon  a  maze  of  well-beaten  deer-tracks,  that  as  often 
led  to  nothing  —  '  ' 

'  *  These  are  signs  common  to  the  woods,  and  they  are  no 
more  than  so  many  proofs  that  the  animal  has  its  sports, 
like  any  other  playful  creature,  when  not  pressed  by  hunger 
or  by  danger,  '  '  quietly  observed  Content. 

"  I  pretend  not  to  take  those  deceitful  tracks  much  into 
the  account,  '  '  resumed  Dudley  ;  *  *  but  shortly  after  losing 
the  sound  of  the  conchs,  I  roused  a  noble  buck  from  his  lair 
beneath  a  thicket  of  hemlocks,  and  having  the  game  in  view, 
the  chase  led  me  wide-off  towards  the  wilderness,  it  may 
have  been  the  distance  of  two  leagues." 

*  '  And  in  all  that  time  had  you  no  fitting  moment  to  strike 
the  beast?" 

"  None  whatever  ;  nor,  if  opportunity  had  been  given,  am 
I  bold  to  say  that  hand  of  mine  would  have  been  hardy 
enough  to  aim  at  its  life.  '  ' 

1  '  Was  there  aught  in  the  deer  that  a  hunter  should  seek 
to  spare  it?" 

*  '  There  was  that  in  the  deer  that  might  bring  a  Christian 
man  to  much  serious  reflection." 


Wept  of  Wi0b*fton*tKIlteb  113 

"  Deal  more  openly  with  the  nature  and  appearance  of 
the  animal,"  said  Content,  a  little  less  tranquil  than  usual, 
while  the  youths  and  maidens  placed  themselves  in  attitudes 
still  more  strongly  denoting  attention. 

Dudley  pondered  an  instant,  and  then  he  commenced  a 
less  equivocal  enumeration  of  what  he  conceived  to  be  the 
marvels  of  his  tale. 

''Firstly,"  he  said,  "there  was  no  trail,  neither  to  nor 
from  the  spot  where  the  creature  had  made  its  lair  ;  'sec- 
ondly, when  roused,  it  took  not  the  alarm,  but  leaped  sport- 
ingly  ahead,  taking  sufficient  care  to  be  beyond  the  range 
of  musket,  without  ever  becoming  hid  from  the  eye  ;  and, 
lastly,  its  manner  of  disappearance  was  as  worthy  of  men- 
tion as  any  other  of  its  movements. ' ' 

* '  And  in  what  manner  didst  thou  lose  the  creature  ? ' ' 

"  I  had  gotten  it  upon  the  crest  of  a  hillock,  where  tru$ 
eye  and  steady  hand  might  make  sure  of  a  buck  of  much 
smaller  size,  when — didst  hear  aught  that  might  be  accounted 
wonderful,  at  a  season  of  the  year  when  the  snows  are  still 
lying  on  the  earth  ? ' ' 

The  auditors  regarded  one  another  curiously,  each  en- 
deavoring to  recall  some  unwonted  sound  which  might  sus- 
tain a  narrative  that  was  fast  obtaining  the  seducing  interest 
of  the  marvellous. 

"Wast  sure,  Charity,  that  the  howl  we  heard  from  the 
forest  was  the  yell  of  the  beaten  hound  ? ' '  demanded  a 
handmaiden  of  Ruth,  of  a  blue-eyed  companion,  who  seemed 
equally  well  disposed  to  contribute  her  share  of  evidence  in 
support  of  any  exciting  legend. 

"  It  might  have  been  other,"  was  the  answer  ;  "  though 
the  hunters  do  speak  of  their  having  beaten  the  pup  for 
restiveness." 

' '  There  was  a  tumult  among  the  echoes  that  sounded  like 
the  noises  which  follow  the  uproar  of  a  falling  tree, ' '  said 
Ruth,  thoughtfully.  "  I  remember  to  have  asked  if  it  might 
not  be  that  some  fierce  beast  had  caused  a  general  discharge 
of  the  musketry,  but  my  father  was  of  opinion  that  death 
had  undermined  some  heavy  oak." 

"  At  what  hour  might  this  have  happened  ?  " 


H4          ttbe  Wept  of 


"  It  was  past  the  turn  of  the  day  ;  for  it  was  at  the  mo- 
ment I  bethought  me  of  the  hunger  of  those  who  had  toiled 
since  light  in  the  hills.  '  ' 

'  '  That  then  was  the  sound  I  mean.  It  came  not  from 
falling  tree,  but  was  uttered  in  the  air,  far  above  all  forests. 
Had  it  been  heard  by  one  better  skilled  in  the  secrets  of 
nature  —  '  ' 

"He  would  say  it  thundered,"  interrupted  Faith  Ring, 
who,  unlike  most  of  the  other  listeners,  manifested  little  of 
the  quality  which  was  expressed  by  her  name.  '  '  Truly, 
Kben  Dudley  hath  done  marvels  in  this  hunt  ;  he  hath  come 
in  with  a  thunderbolt  in  his  head,  instead  of  a  fat  buck  on 
his  shoulders  !  '  ' 

*  '  Speak  reverently,  girl,  of  that  thou  dost  not  compre- 
hend," said  Mark  Heathcote,  with  stern  authority.  "  Mar- 
vels are  manifested  equally  to  the  ignorant  and  to  the 
learned  ;  and  although  vain-minded  pretenders  to  philoso- 
phy affirm  that  the  warring  of  the  elements  is  no  more  than 
nature  working  out  its  own  purification,  yet  do  we  know, 
from  all  ancient  authorities,  that  other  manifestations  are 
therein  exhibited.  Satan  may  have  control  over  the  maga- 
zines of  the  air  ;  he  can  *  let  off  the  ordnance  of  heaven.  ' 
That  '  the  Prince  of  the  Powers  of  Darkness  '  hath  as  good 
a  share  in  chemistry  as  goes  to  the  making  of  Aurum  Ful- 
minans,  is  asserted  by  one  of  the  wisest  writers  of  our  age.  '  ' 

From  this  declaration,  and  more  particularly  from  the 
learning  discovered  in  the  Puritan's  speech,  there  was  no 
one  so  hardy  as  to  dissent.  Faith  was  glad  to  shrink  back 
among  the  bevy  of  awe-struck  maidens,  while  Content,  after 
a  sufficiently  respectful  pause,  invited  the  woodsman,  who 
was  yet  teeming  with  the  most  important  part  of  his  com- 
munication, to  proceed. 

1  '  While  my  eye  was  searching  for  the  lightning  which 
should  in  reason  have  attended  that  thunder,  had  it  been 
uttered  in  the  manner  of  nature,  the  buck  had  vanished  ; 
and  when  I  rushed  upon  the  hillock,  in  order  to  keep  the 
game  in  view,  a  man  mounting  its  opposite  side  came  so 
suddenly  upon  me  that  our  muskets  were  at  each  other's 
breasts  before  either  had  time  for  speech." 


TPdlept  of  Misb^on^Mfsb          115 

*  *  What  manner  of  man  was  he  ?  " 

"  So  far  as  human  judgment  might  determine,  he  seemed 
a  traveller,  who  was  endeavoring  to  push  through  the  wil- 
derness, from  the  towns  below  to  the  distant  settlements  of 
the  Bay  Province ;  but  I  account  it  exceedingly  wonderful 
that  the  trail  of  a  leaping  buck  should  have  brought  us 
together  in  so  unwonted  a  manner  !  " 

1 '  And  didst  thou  see  aught  of  the  deer,  after  that  en- 
counter ? ' ' 

'  *  In  the  first  hurry  of  the  surprise,  it  did  certainly  appear 
as  if  an  animal  were  bounding  along  tbe  wood  into  a  distant 
thicket ;  but  it  is  known  how  readilj  one  may  be  led  by 
seeming  probabilities  into  a  false  conclusion,  and  so  I  ac- 
count that  glimpse  as  delusion.  No  doubt  the  animal,  hav- 
ing done  that  which  it  was  commissioned  to  perform,  did 
then  and  there  disappear,  in  the  manner  I  have  named." 

"  It  might  have  been  thus.  And  the  stranger — had  you 
discourse  with  him  before  parting  ?  " 

* '  We  tarried  together  a  short  hour.  He  related  much 
marvellous  matter  of  the  experiences  of  the  people  near  the 
sea.  According  to  the  testimony  of  the  stranger,  the  Pow- 
ers of  Darkness  have  been  manifested  in  the  provinces  in  a 
hideous  fashion.  Numberless  of  the  believers  have  been 
persecuted  by  the  invisibles,  and  greatly  have  they  endured 
suffering,  both  in  soul  and  body." 

"  Of  all  this  have  I  witnessed  surprising  instances  in  my 
day,"  said  Mark  Heathcote,  breaking  the  awful  stillness  that 
succeeded  the  annunciation  of  so  heavy  a  visitation  on  the 
peace  of  the  colony,  with  his  deep-toned  and  imposing 
voice.  * '  Did  he  with  whom  you  conferred  enter  into  the 
particulars  of  the  trials  ? '  * 

* '  He  spoke  also  of  certain  other  signs  that  are  thought  to 
foretell  the  coming  of  trouble.  When  I  named  the  weary 
chase  that  I  had  made,  and  the  sound  which  came  from  the 
air,  he  said  that  these  would  be  accounted  trifles  in  the 
towns  of  the  Bay,  where  the  thunder  and  its  lightnings  had 
done  much  evil  work  the  past  season,  Satan  having  espe- 
cially shown  his  spite  by  causing  them  to  do  injury  to  the 
houses  of  the  L,ord. ' ' 


n6          Ube  Tlfflept  of 


"  There  has  long  been  reason  to  think  that  the  pilgrimage 
of  the  righteous  into  these  wilds  will  be  visited  by  some 
fierce  opposition  of  those  envious  natures,  which,  fostering 
evil  themselves,  cannot  brook  to  look  upon  the  toiling  of 
such  as  strive  to  keep  the  narrow  path.  We  will  now  re- 
sort to  the  only  weapon  it  is  permitted  us  to  wield  in  this 
controversy,  but  which,  when  handled  with  diligence  and 
zeal,  never  fails  to  lead  to  victory." 

So  saying,  without  waiting  to  hear  more  of  the  tale  of 
Eben  Dudley,  old  Mark  Heathcote  arose,  and  assuming  the 
upright  attitude  usual  among  the  people  of  his  sect,  he  ad- 
dressed himself  to  prayer.  The  grave  and  awe-struck  but 
deeply  confiding  congregation  imitated  his  example,  and  the 
lips  of  the  Puritan  had  parted  in  the  act  of  utterance,  when 
a  low,  faltering  note,  like  that  produced  by  a  wind  instru- 
ment, rose  on  the  outer  air,  and  penetrated  to  the  place 
where  the  family  was  assembled.  A  conch  was  suspended 
at  the  postern,  in  readiness  to  be  used  by  any  of  the  family 
whom  accident  or  occupation  shonld  detain  beyond  the 
usual  hour  of  closing  the  gates  ;  and  both  by  the  direction 
and  nature  of  this  interruption,  it  would  seem  that  an  appli- 
cant for  admission  stood  at  the  portal.  The  effect  on  the 
auditors  was  general  and  instantaneous.  Notwithstanding 
the  recent  dialogue,  the  young  men  involuntarily  sought 
their  arms,  while  the  startled  females  huddled  together  like 
a  flock  of  trembling  and  frightened  deer. 

"There  is,  of  a  certainty,  a  signal  from  without  !  "  Con- 
tent at  length  observed,  after  waiting  to  suffer  the  sounds  to 
die  away  among  the  angles  of  the  buildings.  '  *  Some  hun- 
ter who  hath  strayed  from  his  path  claimeth  hospitality." 

Eben  Dudley  shook  his  head  like  one  who  dissented  ; 
but  having,  with  all  the  other  youths,  grasped  his  musket, 
he  stood  as  undetermined  as  the  rest  concerning  the  course 
it  was  proper  to  pursue.  It  is  uncertain  how  long  this  inde- 
cision might  have  continued,  had  no  other  summons  been 
given  ;  but  he  without  appeared  too  impatient  of  delay  to 
suffer  much  time  to  be  lost.  The  conch  sounded  again,  and 
with  far  better  success  than  before.  The  blast  was  longer, 
louder,  and  bolder,  than  that  which  had  first  pierced  the 


Hbe  Mept  of 


walls  of  the  dwelling,  rising  full  and  rich  on  the  air,  as 
though  one  well  practised  in  the  use  of  the  instrument  had 
placed  lips  to  the  shell. 

Content  would  scarcely  have  presumed  to  disobey  a  man- 
date coming  from  his  father,  had  it  been  little  in  conformity 
with  his  own  intentions.  But  second  thoughts  had  already 
shown  him  the  necessity  of  decision,  and  he  was  in  the  act 
of  motioning  to  Dudley  and  Reuben  Ring  to  follow,  when 
the  Puritan  bade  him  look  to  the  matter.  Making  a  sign 
for  the  rest  of  the  family  to  remain  where  they  were,  and 
arming  himself  with  a  musket  which  had  more  than  once 
that  day  been  proved  to  be  of  certain  aim,  he  led  the  way 
to  the  postern  which  has  already  been  so  often  mentioned. 

"Who  sounds  at  my  gate  ?  "  demanded  Content,  when  he 
and  his  followers  had  gained  a  position,  under  cover  of  a 
low  earthern  mound  erected  expressly  for  the  purpose  of 
commanding  the  entrance  ;  '  '  who  summons  a  peaceful 
family,  at  this  hour  of  the  night,  to  their  outer  defences?  " 

'  '  One  who  hath  need  of  what  he  asketh,  or  he  would  not 
disturb  thy  quiet,"  was  the  answer.  "Open  the  postern, 
Master  Heathcote,  without  fear  ;  it  is  a  brother  in  the  faith, 
and  a  subject  of  the  same  laws,  that  asketh  the  boon." 

"Here  is  truly  a  Christian  man  without,"  said  Content, 
hurrying  to  the  postern,  which,  without  a  moment's  delay, 
he  threw  freely  open,  saying,  as  he  did  so,  "Enter  of  Heav- 
en's mercy,  and  be  welcome  to  that  we  have  to  bestow." 

A  tall,  and,  by  his  tread,  a  heavy  man,  wrapped  in  a 
riding  cloak,  bowed  to  the  greeting,  and  immediately 
passed  beneath  the  low  lintel.  Every  eye  was  keenly  fas- 
tened on  the  stranger,  who,  after  ascending  the  acclivity  a 
short  distance,  paused,  while  the  young  men,  under  their 
master's  orders,  carefully  and  scrupulously  renewed  the 
fastenings  of  the  gate.  When  bolts  and  bars  had  done  their 
office,  Content  joined  his  guest  ;  and  after  making  another 
fruitless  effort,  by  the  feeble  light  which  fell  from  the  stars, 
to  scan  his  person,  he  said,  in  his  own  meek  and  quiet 
manner,  — 

"Thou  must  have  great  need  of  warmth  and  nourishment. 
The  distance  from  this  valley  to  the  nearest  habitation  is 


us          Ube  Mept  of 


wearisome,  and  one  who  hath  journeyed  it,  in  a  season  like 
this,  may  well  be  nigh  fainting.  Follow,  and  deal  with  that 
we  have  to  bestow  as  freely  as  if  it  were  thine  own." 

Although  the  stranger  manifested  none  of  that  impa- 
tience which  the  heir  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish  appeared  to 
think  one  so  situated  might  in  all  reason  feel,  thus  invited  he 
did  not  hesitate  to  comply.  As  he  followed  in  the  footsteps 
of  his  host,  his  tread,  however,  was  leisurely  and  dignified  ; 
and,  once  or  twice,  when  the  other  half  delayed  in  order  to 
make  some  passing  observation  of  courtesy,  he  betrayed  no 
indiscreet  anxiety  to  enter  on  those  personal  indulgences 
which  might  in  reality  prove  so  grateful  to  one  who  had 
journeyed  far  in  an  inclement  season,  and  along  a  road 
where  neither  dwelling  nor  security  invited  repose. 

*  '  Here  is  warmth  and  a  peaceful  welcome,  '  '  pursued 
Content,  ushering  his  guest  into  the  centre  of  a  group  of 
fearfully  anxious  faces.  *  '  In  a  little  time,  other  matters 
shall  be  added  to  thy  comfort." 

When  the  stranger  found  himself  under  the  glare  of  a 
powerful  light,  and  confronted  to  so  many  curious  and  won- 
dering eyes,  for  a  single  instant  he  hesitated.  Then  step- 
ping calmly  forward,  he  cast  the  short  riding-cloak,  which 
had  closely  muffled  his  features,  from  his  shoulders,  and 
discovered  the  severe  eye,  the  stern  lineaments,  and  the 
athletic  form  of  him  who  had  once  before  been  known  to 
enter  the  doors  of  Wish-Ton-Wish  with  little  warning,  and 
to  have  quitted  them  so  mysteriously. 

The  Puritan  had  arisen,  with  quiet  and  grave  courtesy,  to 
receive  his  visitor  ;  but  obvious,  powerful,  and  extraordinary 
interest  gleamed  about  his  usually  subdued  visage,  when, 
as  the  features  of  the  other  were  exposed  to  view,  he  recog- 
nized the  person  of  the  man  who  advanced  to  meet  him. 

'  '  Mark  Heathcote,  '  '  said  the  stranger,  '  '  my  visit  is  to 
thee.  It  may,  or  it  may  not,  prove  longer  than  the  last,  as 
thou  shalt  receive  my  tidings.  Affairs  of  the  last  moment 
demand  that  there  should  be  little  delay  in  hearing  that 
which  I  have  to  offer." 

Notwithstanding  the  excess  and  nature  of  the  surprise 
which  the  veteran  Mark  had  certainly  betrayed,  it  endured 


Mept  of 


119 


just  long  enough  to  allow  those  wondering  eyes,  which  were 
eagerly  devouring  all  that  passed,  to  note  its  existence. 
Then  the  subdued  and  characteristic  manner  which  in  gen- 
eral marked  his  air  instantly  returned,  and  with  a  quiet 
gesture,  like  that  which  friends  use  in  moments  of  confi- 
dence and  security,  he  beckoned  to  the  other  to  follow  to  an 
inner  room.  The  stranger  complied,  making  a  slight  bow 
of  recognition  to  Ruth,  as  he  passed  her  on  the  way  to  the 
apartment  chosen  for  an  interview  that  was  evidently  intended 
to  be  private. 


CHAPTER  X. 

"  Mar.    Shall  I  strike  at  it  with  my  partisan  ? 
Hor.    Do,  if  it  will  not  stand. 
Ber.  'T is  here! 

Hor.  'T is  here! 

Mar.    'T  is  gone ! " 

Hamlet. 

THE  time  that  this  unexpected  visitor  stood  un- 
cloaked and  exposed  to  recognition,  before  the 
eyes  of  the  curious  group  in  the  outer  room,  did 
not  much  exceed  a  minute.     Still  it  was  long 
enough  to  allow  men  who  rarely  overlooked  the  smallest 
peculiarity  of  dress  or  air,  to  note  some  of  the  more  dis- 
tinguished accompaniments  of  his  attire.     The  heavy  horse- 
man's pistols,  once  before  exhibited,  were  in  his  girdle,  and 
young  Mark  got  a  glimpse  of  a  silver-handled  dagger  which 
had  pleased  his  eye  before  that  night.     But  the  passage  of 
his  grandfather  and  the  stranger  from  the  room  prevented 
the  boy   from  determining  whether  it  was  entirely  of  the 
same  fashion  as  that  which,  rather  as  a  memorial  of  bygone 
scenes  than  for  any  service  that  it  might  now  be  expected  to 
perform,  hung  above  the  bed  of  the  former. 

'  *  The  man  hath  not  yet  parted  with  his  arms  ! ' '  ex- 
claimed the  quick-sighted  youth,  when  he  found  that  every 
other  tongue  continued  silent.  ' '  I  would  he  may  now  leave 
them  with  my  grand' ther,  that  I  may  chase  the  skulking 
Wampanoag  to  his  hiding — ' 

*  *  Hot-headed  boy  !  Thy  tongue  is  too  much  given  to 
levity,"  said  Ruth,  who  had  not  only  resumed  her  seat,  but 
also  the  light  employment  that  had  been  interrupted  by  the 
blast  at  the  gate,  with  a  calmness  of  mien  that  did  not  fail 


TOept  ot  Wteb*ttoiMMUsb          121 

in  some  degree  to  reassure  her  maidens.  "  Instead  of  cher- 
ishing the  lessons  of  peace  that  are  taught  thee,  thy  unruly 
thoughts  are  bent  on  strife." 

'  *  Is  there  harm  in  wishing  to  be  armed  with  a  weapon 
suited  to  my  years,  that  I  may  do  service  in  beating  down 
the  power  of  our  enemies  ;  and  perhaps  aid  something,  too, 
in  affording  security  to  my  mother  ? ' ' 

"Thy  mother  hath  no  fears,"  returned  the  matron, 
gravely,  while  grateful  affection  prompted  a  kind  but  fur- 
tive glance  towards  the  high-spirited  though  sometimes 
froward  lad.  ' '  Reason  hath  already  taught  me  the  folly 
of  alarm  because  one  has  knocked  at  our  gate  in  the  night- 
season.  L,ay  aside  thy  arms,  men  ;  you  see  that  my  husband 
no  longer  clings  to  the  musket.  Be  certain  that  his  eye  will 
give  us  warning  when  there  shall  be  danger  at  hand. ' ' 

The  unconcern  of  her  husband  was  even  more  strikingly 
true  than  the  simple  language  of  his  wife  would  appear  to 
convey.  Content  had  not  only  laid  aside  his  weapon,  but 
he  had  resumed  his  seat  near  the  fire,  with  an  air  as  calm, 
as  assured,  and  it  might  have  seemed  to  one  watchfully 
observant,  as  understanding,  as  her  own.  Until  now,  the 
stout  Dudley  had  remained  leaning  on  his  piece,  immovable 
and  apparently  unconscious  as  a  statue.  But,  following 
the  injunctions  of  one  he  was  accustomed  to  obey,  he  placed 
the  musket  against  the  wall,  with  the  care  of  a  hunter,  and 
then  running  a  hand  through  his  shaggy  locks,  as  though 
the  action  might  quicken  ideas  that  were  never  remarkably 
active,  he  bluntly  exclaimed, — 

"An  armed  hand  is  well  in  these  forests,  but  an  armed 
heel  is  not  less  wanting  to  him  who  would  push  a  roadster 
from  the  Connecticut  to  the  Wish-Ton-Wish,  between  a 
rising  and  a  setting  sun  !  The  stranger  no  longer  journeys 
in  the  saddle,  as  is  plain  by  the  sign  that  his  boot  beareth 
no  spur.  When  he  worried,  by  dint  of  hard  pricking,  the 
miserable  hack  that  proved  food  for  the  wolves,  through 
the  forest,  he  had  better  appointments.  I  saw  the  bones  of 
the  animal  no  later  than  this  day.  They  have  been  polished 
by  fowls  and  frost,  till  the  driven  snow  of  the  mountains  is 
not  whiter !" 


122          Ube  TKHept  of 


Meaning  and  uneasy,  but  hasty  glances  of  the  eye  were 
exchanged  between  Content  and  Ruth,  as  Bben  Dudley 
thus  uttered  the  thoughts  which  had  been  suggested  by 
the  unexpected  return  of  the  stranger. 

"  Go  you  to  the  lookout  of  the  western  p?1isadoes,"  said 
the  latter;  "and  see  if  perchance  the  Indiuu  may  not  be 
lurking  near  the  dwellings,  ashamed  of  his  delay,  and  per- 
chance fearful  of  calling  us  to  his  admission.  I  cannot 
think  that  the  child  means  to  desert  us,  with  no  sign  of 
kindness,  and  without  leave-taking.  '  ' 

"  I  will  not  take  upon  me  to  say  how  much  or  how  little 
of  ceremony  the  youngster  may  fancy  to  be  due  to  the 
master  of  the  valley  and  his  kin  ;  but  if  not  gone  already, 
the  snow  will  not  melt  more  quietly  in  the  thaw,  than  the 
lad  will  one  day  disappear.  Reuben  Ring,  thou  hast  an 
eye  for  light  or  darkness  ;  come  forth  with  me,  that  no  sign 
escape  us.  Should  thy  sister,  Faith,  make  one  of  our  party, 
it  would  not  be  easy  for  the  redskin  to  pass  the  clearing 
without  a  hail." 

"Go  to,"  hurriedly  answered  the  female;  "it  is  more 
womanly  that  I  tarry  to  see  to  the  wants  of  him  who  hath 
journeyed  far  and  hard  since  the  rising  of  the  sun.  If 
the  boy  pass  thy  vigilance,  wakeful  Dudley,  he  will  have 
little  cause  to  fear  that  of  others." 

Though  Faith  so  decidedly  declined  to  make  one  of  the 
party,  her  brother  complied  without  reluctance.  The  young 
men  were  about  to  quit  the  place  together,  when  the  latch, 
on  which  the  hand  of  Dudley  was  already  laid,  rose  quietly 
without  aid  from  his  finger,  the  door  opened,  and  the  object 
of  their  intended  search  glided  past  them,  and  took  his  cus- 
tomary position  in  one  of  the  more  retired  corners  of  the 
room.  There  was  so  much  of  the  ordinary  noiseless  manner 
of  the  young  captive  in  this  entrance,  that  for  a  moment 
they  who  witnessed  the  passage  of  his  dark  form  across  the 
apartment  were  led  to  think  the  movement  no  more  than  the 
visit  he  was  always  permitted  to  make  at  that  hour.  But 
recollection  soon  came,  and  it  was  not  only  the  suspicious 
circumstance  of  his  disappearance,  but  the  inexplicable 
manner  of  his  admission  within  the  gates. 


Wept  of  Misb^on^Misb  123 

"The  pickets  must  be  looked  to  !  "  exclaimed  Dudley, 
the  instant  a  second  look  assured  him  that  his  eyes,  in  truth, 
beheld  him  who  had  been  missing.  ' '  The  place  that  a 
stripling  can  scale  might  well  admit  a  host." 

* '  Truly, ' '  said  Content,  ' '  this  needeth  explanation.  Hath 
not  the  boy  entered  when  the  gate  was  opened  for  the 
stranger  ?  Here  cometh  one  that  may  speak  to  the  fact ! ' ' 

"  It  is  so,"  said  the  individual  named,  who  re-entered  from 
the  inner  room  in  season  to  hear  the  nature  of  the  remark. 
"  I  found  this  native  child  near  thy  gate,  and  took  upon  me 
the  office  of  a  Christian  man  to  bid  him  welcome.  Certain 
am  I  that  one  kind  of  heart  and  gently  disposed,  like  the 
mistress  of  this  family,  will  not  turn  him  away  in  anger. ' ' 

"He  is  no  stranger  at  our  fire,  or  at  our  board,"  said 
Ruth ;  '  *  had  it  been  otherwise  thou  wouldst  have  done 
well." 

Eben  Dudley  looked  incredulous.  His  mind  had  been 
powerfully  exercised  that  day  with  visions  of  the  marvellous, 
and,  of  a  certainty,  there  was  some  reason  to  distrust  the 
manner  in  which  the  reappearance  of  the  youth  had  been 
made. 

"  It  will  be  well  to  look  to  the  fastenings,"  he  muttered, 
* '  lest  others,  less  easy  to  dispose  of,  should  follow.  Now 
that  invisible  agencies  are  at  work  in  the  colony,  one  may 
not  sleep  too  soundly  ! ' ' 

* '  Then  go  thou  to  the  lookout,  and  keep  the  watch  till 
the  clock  shall  strike  the  hour  of  midnight, ' '  said  the  Pu- 
ritan, who  uttered  the  command  in  a  manner  to  show  that 
he  was  in  truth  moved  by  considerations  far  deeper  than 
the  vague  apprehensions  of  his  dependant.  "Ere  sleep 
overcome  thee  another  shall  be  ready  for  the  relief." 

Mark  Heathcote  seldom  spoke,  but  respectful  silence  per- 
mitted the  lowest  of  his  syllables  to  be  audible.  On  the 
present  occasion,  when  his  voice  was  first  heard,  such  a 
stillness  came  over  all  in  presence,  that  he  finished  the  sen- 
tence amid  the  nearly  imperceptible  breathings  of  the  listen- 
ers. In  this  momentary  but  death-like  quiet,  there  arose  a 
blast  from  the  conch  at  the  gate,  that  might  have  seemed 
an  echo  of  that  which  had  so  lately  startled  the  already 


Ube  Mept  of 


excited  inmates  of  the  dwelling.  At  the  repetition  of 
sounds  so  unwonted  all  sprang  to  their  feet,  but  no  one 
spoke.  Content  cast  a  hurried  and  inquiring  glance  at  his 
father,  who  in  his  turn  had  anxiously  sought  the  eyes  of  the 
stranger.  The  latter  stood  firm  and  unmoved.  One  hand 
was  clenched  upon  the  back  of  the  chair  from  which  he 
had  arisen,  and  the  other  grasped,  perhaps  unconsciously, 
the  handle  of  one  of  those  weapons  which  had  attracted 
the  attention  of  young  Mark,  and  which  still  continued 
thrust  through  the  broad  leathern  belt  that  girded  his 
doublet. 

*  *  The  sound  is  like  that  which  one  little  used  to  deal 
with  earthly  instruments  might  raise  !  "  muttered  one  of 
those  whose  minds  had  been  prepared,  by  the  narrative  of 
Dudley,  to  believe  in  anything  marvellous. 

*  '  Come  from  what  quarter  it  may,  it  is  a  summons  that 
must    be    answered,  '  '    returned    Content.     '  '  Dudley,    thy 
musket  ;  this  visit  is  so  unwonted,  that  more  than  one  hand 
should  do  the  office  of  porter.  '  ' 

The  borderer  instantly  complied,  muttering  between  his 
teeth  as  he  shook  the  priming  deeper  into  the  barrel  of  his 
piece,  '  '  Your  over-sea  gallants  are  quick  on  the  trail  to- 
night !  '  '  Then  throwing  the  musket  into  the  hollow  of  his 
arm,  he  cast  a  look  of  discontent  and  resentment  towards 
Faith  Ring,  and  was  about  to  open  the  door  for  the  passage 
of  Content,  when  another  blast  arose  on  the  silence  without. 
The  second  touch  of  the  shell  was  firmer,  longer,  louder, 
and  more  true,  than  that  by  which  it  had  just  been  pre- 
ceded. 

"  One  might  fancy  the  conch  was  speaking  in  mockery," 
observed  Content,  looking  with  meaning  towards  their  guest. 
'  '  Never  did  sound  more  resemble  sound  than  these  we  have 
just  heard,  and  those  thou  drew  from  the  shell  when  asking 
admission." 

A  sudden  light  appeared  to  break  in  upon  the  intelli- 
gence of  the  stranger.  Advancing  more  into  the  circle, 
rather  with  the  freedom  of  long  familiarity  than  with  the 
diffidence  of  a  newly-arrived  guest,  he  motioned  for  silence 
as  he  said,  — 


ZTbe  TKHept  of  Misb*ZIcm*Wisb  125 

*  '  Let  none  move,  but  this  stout  woodsman,  the  young  cap- 
tain, and  myself.  We  will  go  forth,  and  doubt  not  that 
the  safety  of  those  within  shall  be  regarded." 

Notwithstanding  the  singularity  of  this  proposal,  as  it 
appeared  to  excite  neither  surprise  nor  opposition  in  the 
Puritan  or  his  son,  the  rest  of  the  family  offered  no  objec- 
tion. The  stranger  had  no  sooner  spoken,  than  he  ad- 
vanced near  to  the  torch,  and  looked  closely  into  the  condi- 
tion of  his  pistols.  Then  turning  to  old  Mark,  he  continued 
in  an  under- tone, — 

' '  Peradventure  there  will  be  more  worldly  strife  than  any 
which  can  flow  from  the  agencies  that  stir  up  the  unquiet 
spirits  of  the  colonies.  In  such  an  extremity,  it  may  be 
well  to  observe  a  soldier's  caution." 

"  I  like  not  this  mockery  of  sound,"  returned  the  Puri- 
tan;  "it  argueth  a  taunting  and  fiend-like  temper.  We 
have,  of  late,  had  in  this  colony  tragical  instances  of  what 
the  disappointed  malice  of  Azazel  can  attempt ;  and  it 
would  be  vain  to  hope  that  the  evil  agencies  are  not  vexed 
with  the  sight  of  my  Bethel." 

Though  the  stranger  listened  to  the  words  of  his  host 
with  respect,  it  was  plain  that  his  thoughts  dwelt  on  dangers 
of  a  different  character.  The  member  that  still  rested  on 
the  handle  of  his  weapon  was  clenched  with  greater  firm- 
ness, and  a  grim  though  a  melancholy  expression  was 
seated  about  a  mouth  that  was  compressed  in  a  manner  to 
denote  the  physical  rather  than  the  spiritual  resolution  of 
the  man.  He  made  a  sign  to  the  two  companions  he  had 
chosen,  and  led  the  way  to  the  court. 

By  this  time,  the  shades  of  night  had  materially  thick- 
ened, and,  although  the  hour  was  still  early,  a  darkness  had 
come  over  the  valley  that  rendered  it  difficult  to  distinguish 
objects  at  any  distance  from  the  eye.  The  obscurity  made 
it  necessary  that  they  who  now  issued  from  the  door  of  the 
dwelling  should  advance  with  caution,  lest,  ere  properly  ad- 
monished of  its  presence,  their  persons  should  be  exposed 
to  some  lurking  danger.  When  the  three,  however,  were 
safely  established  behind  the  thick  curtain  of  plank  and 
earth  that  covered  and  commanded  the  entrance,  and  where 


Ube  Wept  of 


their  persons,  from  the  shoulders  downwards,  were  com- 
pletely protected  alike  from  shot  and  arrow,  Content  de- 
manded to  know  who  applied  at  his  gates  for  admission  at 
an  hour  when  they  were  habitually  closed  for  the  night. 
Instead  of  receiving,  as  before,  a  ready  answer,  the  silence 
was  so  profound  that  his  own  words  were  very  distinctly 
heard  repeated,  as  was  not  uncommon  C  :  that  quiet  hour, 
among  the  recesses  of  the  neighboring  woods. 

"  Come  it  from  devil,  or  come  it  from  man,  here  is  treach- 
ery !  '  '  whispered  the  stranger  after  a  fitting  pause.  '  '  Arti- 
fice must  be  met  by  artifice  ;  but  thou  art  much  abler  to 
advise  against  the  wiles  of  the  forest,  than  one  trained,  as 
I  have  been,  in  the  less  cunning  deceptions  of  Christian 
warfare.  '  ' 

"  What  think'  st,  Dudley?"  asked  Content  ;  "will  it  be 
well  to  sally,  or  shall  we  wait  another  signal  from  the 
conch?" 

11  Much  dependeth  on  the  quality  of  the  guests  expected," 
returned  he  of  whom  counsel  was  asked.  "  As  for  the  brag- 
gart gallants,  that  are  over-valiant  among  the  maidens,  and 
heavy  of  heart  when  they  think  the  screech  of  the  jay  an 
Indian  whoop,  I  care  not  if  ye  beat  the  pickets  to  the  earth, 
and  call  upon  them  to  enter  on  the  gallop.  I  know  the 
manner  to  send  them  to  the  upper  story  of  the  block, 
quicker  than  the  cluck  of  the  turkey  can  muster  its  young  ; 
but—" 

11  'Tis  well  to  be  discreet  in  language,  in  a  moment  of 
such  serious  uncertainty  !  "  interrupted  the  stranger.  "We 
look  for  no  gallants  of  the  kind." 

1  1  Then  will  I  give  you  a  conceit  that  shall  know  the  rea- 
son of  the  music  of  yon  conch.  Go  ye  two  back  into  the 
house,  making  much  conversation  by  the  way,  in  order  that 
any  without  may  hear.  When  ye  have  entered,  it  shall  be 
my  task  to  find  such  a  post  nigh  the  gate,  that  none  shall 
knock  again  and  no  porter  be  at  hand  to  question  them  in 
the  matter  of  their  errand." 

"This  soundeth  better,"  said  Content  ;  "and  that  it  may 
be  done  with  all  safety,  some  others  of  the  young  men,  who 
are  accustomed  to  this  species  of  artifice,  shall  issue  by  the 


Mept  of  WUsh^onxmteh          127 

secret  door  and  lie  in  wait  behind  the  dwellings,  in  order 
that  support  shall  not  be  wanting  in  case  of  violence. 
Whatever  else  thou  dost,  Dudley,  remember  that  thou  dost 
not  undo  the  fastenings  of  the  postern." 

"  lyook  to  the  support,"  returned  the  woodsman  ;  "should 
it  be  keen-eyed  Reuben  Ring,  I  shall  feel  none  the  less  cer- 
tain that  good  aid  is  at  my  back.  The  whole  of  that  fam- 
ily are  quick  of  wit  and  ready  of  invention,  unless  it  may  be 
the  wight  who  hath  got  the  form  without  the  reason  of  a 
man." 

"  Thou  shalt  have  Reuben,  and  none  other  of  his  kin," 
said  Content.  "  Be  well  advised  of  the  fastenings,  and  so 
I  wish  thee  all  fitting  success,  in  a  deception  that  cannot  be 
sinful,  since  it  aims  only  at  our  safety. ' ' 

With  this  injunction,  Content  and  the  stranger  left  Dud- 
ley to  the  practice  of  his  own  devices,  the  former  observing 
the  precaution  to  speak  aloud  while  returning,  in  order  that 
any  listeners  without  might  be  led  to  suppose  the  whole 
party  had  retired  from  the  search,  satisfied  of  its  fruitlessness. 

In  the  meantime,  the  youth  left  nigh  the  postern  set  about 
the  accomplishment  of  the  task  he  had  undertaken,  in  sober 
earnest.  Instead  of  descending  in  a  direct  line  to  the  palisa- 
does,  he  also  ascended,  and  made  a  circuit  among  the  out- 
buildings on  the  margin  of  the  acclivity.  Then  bending  so 
low  as  to  blend  his  form  with  objects  on  the  snow,  he  gained 
an  angle  of  the  palisadoes,  at  a  point  remote  from  the  spot 
he  intended  to  watch,  and,  as  he  hoped,  aided  by  the  dark- 
ness of  the  hour  and  the  shadows  of  the  hill,  completely 
protected  from  observation.  When  beneath  the  palisadoes, 
the  sentinel  crouched  to  the  earth,  creeping  with  extreme 
caution  along  the  timber  which  bound  their  lower  ends, 
until  he  found  himself  arrived  at  a  species  of  sentry-box, 
that  was  erected  for  the  very  purpose  to  which  he  now  in- 
tended it  should  be  applied.  Once  within  the  cover  of  this 
little  recess,  the  sturdy  woodsman  bestowed  his  large  frame 
with  as  much  attention  to  comfort  and  security  as  the  cir- 
cumstances would  permit.  Here  he  prepared  to  pass  many 
weary  minutes,  before  there  should  be  further  need  of  his 
sendees. 


128          Ube  TlXRept  of 


The  reader  will  find  no  difficulty  in  believing  that  one  of 
opinions  like  those  of  the  borderer  did  not  enter  on  his 
silent  watch  without  much  distrust  of  the  character  of  the 
guests  that  he  might  be  called  upon  to  receive.  Enough 
has  been  shown  to  prove  that  the  suspicion  uppermost  in  his 
mind  was,  that  the  unwelcome  agents  of  the  government 
had  returned  on  the  heels  of  the  stranger.  But,  notwith- 
standing the  seeming  probability  of  this  opinion,  there  were 
secret  misgivings  of  the  earthly  origin  of  the  two  last  wind- 
ings of  the  shell.  All  the  legends,  and  all  the  most  cred- 
ited evidence  in  cases  of  prestigious  agency,  as  it  had  been 
exhibited  in  the  colonies  of  New  England,  went  to  show 
the  malignant  pleasure  the  evil  spirits  found  in  indulging 
their  wicked  mockeries,  or  in  otherwise  tormenting  those 
who  placed  their  support  on  a  faith  that  was  believed  to  be 
so  repugnant  to  their  own  ungrateful  and  abandoned  natures. 
Under  the  impressions  naturally  excited  by  the  communica- 
tion he  had  held  with  the  traveller  in  the  mountains,  Eben 
Dudley  found  his  mind  equally  divided  between  the  expec- 
tation of  seeing,  at  each  moment,  one  of  the  men  whom  he 
had  induced  to  quit  the  valley  so  unceremoniously,  return- 
ing to  obtain  surreptitiously  admission  within  the  gate,  or  of 
being  made  an  unwilling  witness  of  some  wicked  manifesta- 
tion of  that  power  which  was  temporarily  committed  to  the 
invisibles.  In  both  of  these  expectations,  however,  he  was 
fated  to  be  disappointed.  Notwithstanding  the  strong  spir- 
itual bias  of  the  opinions  of  the  credulous  sentinel,  there 
was  too  much  of  the  dross  of  temporal  things  in  his  compo- 
sition to  elevate  him  altogether  above  the  weakness  of  hu- 
manity. A  mind  so  encumbered  began  to  weary  with  its 
own  contemplations  ;  and,  as  it  grew  feeble  with  its  extraor- 
dinary efforts,  the  dominion  of  matter  gradually  resumed  its 
sway.  Thought,  instead  of  being  clear  and  active,  as  the 
emergency  would  have  seemed  to  require,  began  to  grow 
misty.  Once  or  twice  the  borderer  half  arose,  and  appeared 
to  look  about  him  with  observation  ;  and  then,  as  his  large 
frame  fell  heavily  back  into  its  former  semi-recumbent  atti- 
tude, he  grew  tranquil  and  stationary.  This  movement  was 
several  times  repeated,  at  intervals  of  increasing  length,  till, 


Ube  Mept  of  OTisb*ttoiMKaf8b  129 

at  the  end  of  an  hour,  forgetting  alike  the  hunt,  the  troop- 
ers, and  the  mysterious  agents  of  evil,  the  young  man 
yielded  to  the  fatigue  of  the  day.  The  tall  oaks  of  the  ad- 
joining forest  stood  not  more  immovable  in  the  quiet  of  the 
tranquil  hour,  than  his  frame  now  leaned  against  the  side 
of  its  narrow  habitation. 

How  much  time  was  thus  lost  in  inactivity,  Bben  Dudley 
could  never  precisely  tell.  He  always  stoutly  maintained  it 
could  not  have  been  long,  since  his  watch  was  not  disturbed  by 
the  smallest  of  those  sounds  from  the  woods  which  sometimes 
occur  in  deep  night,  and  which  may  be  termed  the  breathing 
of  the  forest  in  its  slumbers.  His  first  distinct  recollection 
was  that  of  feeling  a  hand  grasped  with  the  power  of  a  giant. 
Springing  to  his  feet,  the  young  man  eagerly  stretched  forth 
an  arm,  saying  as  he  did  so,  in  words  sufficiently  con- 
fused,— 

1 l  If  the  buck  hath  fallen  by  a  shot  in  the  head,  I  grant 
him  to  be  thine,  Reuben  Ring  ;  but  if  struck  in  limb  or  body, 
I  claim  the  venison  for  a  surer  hand. ' ' 

"  Truly,  a  very  just  division  of  the  spoil,"  returned  one  in 
an  under-tone,  and  speaking  as  if  sounds  too  loud  might  be 
dangerous.  "  Thou  givest  the  head  of  the  deer  for  a  target 
to  Reuben  Ring,  and  keepest  the  rest  of  the  creature  to  thine 
own  uses." 

' '  Who  hath  sent  thee,  at  this  hour,  to  the  postern  ?  Dost 
not  know  that  there  are  thought  to  be  strangers  outlying  in 
the  fields?" 

' '  I  know  that  there  are  some,  who  are  not  strangers,  in- 
lying on  their  watch  ! ' '  said  Faith  Ring.  ' '  What  shame 
would  come  upon  thee,  Dudley,  did  the  captain,  and  they 
who  have  been  so  strongly  exercised  in  prayer  within,  but 
suspect  how  little  care  thou  hast  had  of  their  safety,  the 
while!" 

"  Have  they  come  to  harm  !  If  the  captain  hath  held 
them  to  spiritual  movements,  I  hope  that  he  will  allow  that 
nothing  earthly  hath  passed  this  postern  to  disturb  the  exer- 
cise. As  I  hope  to  be  dealt  honestly  by,  in  all  matters  of 
character,  I  have  not  once  quitted  the  gate  since  the  watch 
was  set." 

9 


130          Ube  Mept  of 


'  '  Else  wouldst  thou  be  the  famousest  sleep-walker  in  the 
Connecticut  Colony  !  Why,  drowsy  one,  conch  cannot  raise 
a  louder  blast  than  that  thou  soundest,  when  eyes  are  fairly 
shut  in  sleep.  This  may  be  watching,  according  to  thy 
meaning  of  the  word  ;  but  infant  in  its  cradle  is  not  half 
so  ignorant  of  that  which  passeth  around  it,  as  thou  hast 
been." 

"  I  think,  Faith  Ring,  that  thou  hast  gotten  to  be  much 
given  to  backbiting,  and  evil  saying  against  friends,  since 
the  visit  of  the  gallants  from  over  sea." 

"  Out  upon  gallants  from  over  sea,  and  thee  too,  man  !  I 
am  not  a  girl  to  be  flouted  with  bold  speech  from  one  who 
doth  not  know  whether  he  be  sleeping  or  waking.  I  tell 
thee,  thy  good  name  would  be  lost  in  the  family,  did  it  come 
to  the  ears  of  the  captain,  and  more  particularly  to  the 
knowledge  of  that  soldier  stranger  up  in  the  dwelling,  of 
whom  even  the  madam  maketh  so  great  ceremony,  that 
thou  hast  been  watching  with  a  tuneful  nose,  an  open  mouth, 
and  a  sealed  eye." 

"If  any  but  thee  had  said  this  slander  of  me,  girl,  it 
would  go  nigh  to  raise  hot  speech  between  us  !  Thy  brother, 
Reuben  Ring,  knows  better  than  to  stir  my  temper  by  such 
falsity  of  accusation.  " 

"  Thou  dealest  so  generously  by  him,  that  he  is  prone  to 
forget  thy  misdeeds.  Truly  he  hath  the  head  of  the  buck, 
while  thou  contentest  thyself  with  the  offals  and  all  the  less 
wortlry  parts  !  Go  to,  Dudley  ;  thou  wast  in  a  heavy  dream 
when  I  caused  thee  to  awake." 

"  A  pretty  time  have  we  fallen  upon,  when  petticoats  are 
used  instead  of  beards  and  strong-armed  men,  to  go  the 
rounds  of  the  sentinels,  and  to  say  who  sleepeth  and  who  is 
watchful  !  What  hath  brought  thee  so  far  from  the  exercises 
and  so  nigh  the  gates,  Mistress  Faith,  now  that  there  is  no 
over-sea  gallant  to  soothe  thy  ears  with  lying  speech  and 
light  declarations." 

"  If  speech  not  to  be  credited  is  that  I  seek,"  returned  the 
girl,  "truly  the  errand  hath  not  been  without  its  reward. 
What  brought  me  hither,  sooth  !  Why,  the  madam  hath 
need  of  articles  from  the  outer  buttery  —  and  —  ay  —  and  my 


THUept  of  Misb^on^Wisb  131 

ears  led  me  to  the  postern.  Thou  knowest,  musical  Dudley, 
that  I  have  had  occasion  to  hearken  to  thy  watchful  notes 
before  this  night.  But  my  time  is  too  useful  to  be  wasted 
in  idleness  ;  thou  art  now  awake,  and  may  thank  her  who 
hath  done  thee  a  good  turn,  with  no  wish  to  boast  of  it,  that 
one  of  a  black  beard  is  not  the  laughing-stock  of  all  the 
youths  in  the  family.  If  thou  keepest  thine  own  counsel, 
the  captain  may  yet  praise  thee  for  a  vigilant  sentinel; 
though  Heaven  forgive  him  the  wrong  he  will  do  the 
truth!" 

''Perhaps  a  little  anger  at  unjust  suspicions  may  have 
prompted  more  than  the  matter  needed,  Faith,  when  I  taxed 
thee  with  the  love  of  backbiting,  and  I  do  now  recall  that 
word ;  though  I  will  ever  deny  that  aught  more  than  some 
wandering  recollection  concerning  the  hunt  of  this  day  hath 
come  over  my  thoughts,  and  perhaps  made  me  even  forget- 
ful that  it  was  needful  to  be  silent  at  the  postern ;  and, 
therefore,  on  the  truth  of  a  Christian  man,  I  do  forgive  thee 
the—" 

But  Faith  was  already  out  of  sight  and  out  of  hearing. 
Dudley  himself,  who  began  to  have  certain  prickings  of 
conscience  concerning  the  ingratitude  he  had  manifested  to 
one  who  had  taken  so  much  interest  in  his  reputation,  now 
bethought  him  seriously  of  that  which  remained  to  be  done. 
He  had  much  reason  to  suspect  that  there  was  less  of  the 
night  before  him  than  he  had  at  first  believed,  and  he  be- 
came in  consequence  more  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  mak- 
ing some  report  of  the  events  of  his  watch.  Accordingly,  he 
cast  a  scrutinizing  glance  around  in  order  to  make  sure  that 
the  facts  should  not  contradict  his  testimony,  and  then,  first 
examining  the  fastenings  of  the  postern,  he  mounted  the 
hill  and  presented  himself  before  the  family.  The  members 
of  the  latter,  having  in  truth  passed  most'of  the  long  interval 
of  his  absence  in  spiritual  exercises  and  in  religious  conver- 
sation, were  not  so  sensible  of  his  delay  in  reporting,  as  they 
might  otherwise  have  been. 

"  What  tidings  dost  thou  bring  us  from  without?"  said 
Content,  as  soon  as  the  self-relieved  sentinel  appeared. 
"  Hast  seen  any,  or  hast  heard  that  which  is  suspicious  !  " 


ZTbe  TOept  of 


Ere  Dudley  would  answer,  his  eye  did  not  fail  to  study 
the  half-malicious  expression  of  the  countenance  of  her  who 
was  busy  in  some  domestic  toil,  directly  opposite  to  the 
place  where  he  stood.  But  reading  there  no  more  than  a 
glance  of  playful  though  smothered  irony,  he  was  encouraged 
to  proceed  in  his  report. 

"The  watch  has  been  quiet,"  was  the  answer;  "and 
there  is  little  cause  to  keep  the  sleepers  longer  from  their 
beds.  Some  vigilant  eyes,  like  those  of  Reuben  Ring  and 
my  own,  had  better  be  open  until  the  morning  ;  further  than 
that,  there  is  no  reason  to  be  wakeful." 

Perhaps  the  borderer  would  have  dwelt  more  at  large  on 
his  own  readiness  to  pass  the  remainder  of  the  hours  of 
rest  in  attending  to  the  security  of  those  who  slept,  had  not 
another  wicked  glance  from  the  dark,  laughing  eye  of  her 
who  stood  so  favorably  placed  to  observe  his  countenance, 
admonished  him  of  the  prudence  of  being  modest  in  his 
professions. 

"This  alarm  hath  then  happily  passed  away,"  said  the 
Puritan,  rising.  '  '  We  will  now  go  to  our  pillows  in  thank- 
fulness and  peace.  Thy  service  shall  not  be  forgotten, 
Dudley  ;  for  thou  hast  exposed  thyself  to  seeming  danger, 
at  least,  in  our  behalf." 

"That  hath  he  !  "  half-whispered  Faith  ;  "  and  sure  am 
I,  that  we  maidens  will  not  forget  his  readiness  to  lose  the 
sweets  of  sleep  in  order  that  the  feeble  may  not  come  to 
harm." 

"Speak  not  of  the  trifle,"  hurriedly  returned  the  other. 
'  '  There  has  been  some  deception  in  the  sound,  for  it  is 
now  my  opinion,  except  to  summon  us  to  the  gate  that  this 
stranger  might  enter  —  the  conch  hath  not  been  touched  at 
all  to-night.  '  ' 

"  Then  is  it  a  deception  which  is  repeated  !  "  exclaimed 
Content,  rising  from  his  chair  as  a  faint  and  broken  blast 
from  the  shell,  like  that  which  had  first  announced  their 
visitor,  again  struggled  among  the  buildings,  until  it  reached 
every  ear  in  the  dwelling. 

'  '  Here  is  warning  as  mysterious  as  it  may  prove  porten- 
tous !  "  said  old  Mark  Heathcote,  when  the  surprise,  not  to 


ftfoe  Mept  of  Wisb*Uon==Mf3b  133 

say  the  consternation,  of  the  moment,  had  subsided.   "  Hast 
seen  nothing  that  might  justify  this  ?  " 

Kben  Dudley,  like  most  of  the  auditors,  was  too  much 
confounded  to  reply.  All  seemed  to  attend  anxiously  for 
the  second  and  more  powerful  blast,  which  was  to  complete 
the  imitation  of  the  stranger's  summons.  It  was  not  neces- 
sary to  wait  long  ;  for  in  a  time  as  near  as  might  be  to  that 
which  had  intervened  between  the  two  first  peals  of  the 
horn,  followed  another,  and  in  a  note  so  true  again,  as  to 
give  it  the  semblance  of  an  echo. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

"  I  will  watch  to-night ; 
Perchance  'twill  walk  again." 

Hamlet. 

"  IV  /TAY  not  this  be  a  warning  given  in  mercy?" 
\  / 1  the  Puritan,  at  all  times  disposed  to  yield 

_,  b  V  JL  credit  to  supernatural  manifestations  of  the 
care  of  Providence,  demanded  with  a  solem- 
nity that  did  not  fail  to  produce  its  impression  on  most  of 
his  auditors.  * '  The  history  of  our  colonies  is  full  of  the 
evidences  of  these  merciful  interpositions." 

' '  We  will  thus  consider  it, ' '  returned  the  stranger,  to 
whom  the  question  seemed  more  particularly  addressed. 
' '  The  first  measure  shall  be  to  seek  out  the  danger  to  which 
it  points.  L,et  the  youth  they  call  Dudley  give  me  the  aid 
of  his  powerful  frame  and  manly  courage,  then  trust  the 
discovery  of  the  meaning  of  these  frequent  speakings  of  the 
conch  to  me. ' ' 

' '  Surely,  Submission,  thou  wilt  not  again  be  first  to  go 
forth  !  "  exclaimed  Mark,  in  a  surprise  that  was  equally 
manifested  by  Content  and  Ruth,  the  latter  of  whom  pressed 
her  little  image  to  her  side  as  though  the  bare  proposal 
presented  a  powerful  picture  of  supernatural  danger.  '  *  'T  will 
be  well  to  think  maturely  on  the  step,  ere  thou  runnest  the 
hazard  of  such  an  adventure." 

"Better  it  should  be  I,"  said  Content,  "who  am  accus- 
tomed to  forest  signs,  and  all  the  usual  testimonials  of  the 
presence  of  those  who  may  wish  us  harm." 

' '  No, ' '  said  he  who  for  the  first  time  had  been  called 
"  Submission,"  a  name  that  savored  of  the  religious  enthusi- 

134 


TKHept  of  Mteb^on^Misb          135 

asm  of  the  times,  and  which  might  have  been  adopted  as  an 
open  avowal  of  his  readiness  to  bow  beneath  some  peculiar 
dispensation  of  Providence.  "This  service  shall  be  mine. 
Thou  art  both  husband  and  father  ;  and  many  are  there  who 
look  to  thy  safety  as  to  their  rock  of  earthly  support  and 
comfort,  while  neither  kindred,  nor — but  we  will  not  speak 
of  things  foreign  to  our  purpose  !  Thou  knowest,  Mark 
Heathcote,  that  peril  and  I  are  no  strangers.  There  is  little 
need  to  bid  me  be  prudent.  Come,  bold  woodsman  ; 
shoulder  thy  musket,  and  be  ready  to  do  credit  to  thy  man- 
hood, should  there  be  reason  to  prove  it." 

"And  why  not  Reuben  Ring?"  said  a  hurried  female 
voice,  that  all  knew  to  proceed  from  the  lips  of  the  sister 
of  the  youth  just  named.  "He  is  quick  of  eye  and  ready 
of  hand  in  trials  like  these ;  would  it  not  be  well  to  succor 
thy  party  with  such  aid?  " 

"  Peace,  girl,"  meekly  observed  Ruth.  "  This  matter  is 
already  in  the  ordering  of  one  used  to  command  ;  there 
needeth  no  counsel  from  thy  short  experience. ' ' 

Faith  shrank  back,  abashed  ;  the  flush  which  had  mantled 
over  her  brown  cheek  deepening  to  a  tint  like  that  of  blood. 

Submission  (we  use  the  appellation  in  the  absence  of  all 
others)  fastened  a  searching  glance  for  a  single  moment  on 
the  countenance  of  the  girl ;  and  then,  as  if  his  intention 
had  not  been  diverted  from  the  principal  subject  in  hand,  he 
rejoined  coolly, — 

"We  go  as  scouters  and  observers  of  that  which  may 
hereafter  call  for  the  ready  assistance  of  this  youth ;  but 
numbers  would  expose  us  to  observation,  without  adding 
to  our  usefulness — and  yet,"  he  added,  arresting  his  foot- 
step, which  was  already  turned  towards  the  door,  and  look- 
ing earnestly  and  long  at  the  Indian  boy,  '  *  perhaps  there 
standeth  one  who  might  much  enlighten  us,  would  he  but 
speak!" 

This  remark  drew  every  eye  on  the  person  of  the  cap- 
tive. The  lad  stood  the  scrutiny  with  the  undismayed 
and  immovable  composure  of  his  race.  But  though  his 
eye  met  the  looks  of  those  around  him  haughtily  and  in 
pride,  it  was  not  gleaming  with  any  of  that  stern  defi- 


136          Ube  Wept  of 


ance  which  had  so  often  been  known  to  glitter  in  his 
glances,  when  he  had  reason  to  think  that  his  fortunes 
or  his  person  were  the  subject  of  the  peculiar  observation 
of  those  with  whom  he  dwelt.  On  the  contrary,  the  ex- 
pression of  his  dark  visage  was  rather  that  of  amity  than 
of  hatred,  and  there  was  a  moment  when  the  look  he  cast 
upon  Ruth  and  her  offspring  was  visibly  touched  with 
a  feeling  of  concern.  A  glance  charged  with  such  a 
meaning  could  not  escape  the  quick-sighted  vigilance  of 
a  mother. 

1  'The  child  hath  proved  himself  worthy  to  be  trusted," 
she  said  ;  "  and  in  the  name  of  Him  who  looketh  into  and 
knoweth  all  hearts,  let  him  once  more  go  forth." 

Her  lips  became  sealed,  for  again  the  conch  announced 
the  seeming  impatience  of  those  without  to  be  admitted. 
The  full  tones  of  the  shell  thrilled  on  the  nerves  of  the  lis- 
teners, as  though  they  proclaimed  the  coming  of  some  great 
and  fearful  judgment. 

In  the  midst  of  these  often-repeated  and  mysterious 
sounds,  Submission  alone  seemed  calm  and  unmoved.  Turn- 
ing his  look  from  the  countenance  of  the  boy,  whose  head 
had  dropped  upon  his  breast  as  the  last  notes  of  the  conch 
rang  among  the  buildings,  he  motioned  hurriedly  to  Dudley 
to  follow,  and  left  the  place. 

There  was,  in  good  truth,  that  in  the  secluded  situation 
of  the  valley,  the  darkness  of  the  hour,  and  the  nature  of 
the  several  interruptions,  which  might  readily  awaken  deep 
concern  in  the  breasts  of  men  as  firm  even  as  those  who 
now  issued  into  the  open  air,  in  quest  of  the  solution  of 
doubts  that  were  becoming  intensely  painful.  The  stranger, 
or  Submission,  as  we  may  in  future  have  frequent  occasion 
to  call  him,  led  the  way  in  silence  to  a  point  of  the  emi- 
nence without  the  buildings,  where  the  eye  might  overlook 
the  palisadoes  that  hedged  the  sides  of  the  acclivity,  and 
command  a  view  beyond  of  all  that  the  dusky  and  imper- 
fect light  would  reveal. 

It  was  a  scene  that  required  familiarity  with  a  border  life 
to  be  looked  on  at  any  moment  with  indifference.  The 
broad,  nearly  interminable,  and  seemingly  trackless  forest  lay 


wept  ot  imisb^on^miBb          137 

about  them,  bounding  the  view  to  the  narrow  limits  of  the 
valley,  as  though  it  were  some  straitened  oasis  amidst  an 
ocean  of  wilderness.  Within  the  bounderies  of  the  cleared 
land  objects  were  less  indistinct,  though  even  those  nearest 
and  most  known  were  now  seen  only  in  the  confused  and 
gloomy  outlines  of  night. 

Across  this  dim  prospect  Submission  and  his  companion 
gazed  long  and  cautiously. 

"  There  is  naught  but  motionless  stumps,  and  fences 
loaded  with  snow,"  said  the  former,  when  his  eye  had 
roamed  over  the  whole  circuit  of  the  view  which  lay  on  the 
side  of  the  valley  where  they  stood.  ' '  We  must  go  forth, 
that  we  may  look  nearer  to  the  fields. ' ' 

"  This  way,  then,  is  the  postern,"  said  Dudley,  observing 
that  the  other  took  a  direction  opposite  to  that  which  led 
to  the  gate.  But  a  gesture  of  authority  induced  him  at  the 
next  instant  to  restrain  his  voice,  and  to  follow  whither  his 
companion  chose  to  lead  the  way. 

The  stranger  made  a  circuit  of  half  the  hill  ere  he  de- 
scended to  the  palisadoes,  at  a  point  where  lay  long  and 
massive  piles  of  wood,  which  had  been  collected  for  the 
fuel  of  the  family.  This  spot  was  one  that  overlooked  the 
steepest  acclivity  of  the  eminence,  which  was  in  itself,  just 
there,  so  difficult  of  ascent,  as  to  render  the  provision  of  the 
pickets  far  less  necessary  than  in  its  more  even  faces.  Still 
no  useful  precaution  for  the  security  of  the  family  had  been 
neglected,  even  at  this  strong  point  of  the  works.  The 
piles  of  wood  were  laid  at  such  a  distance  from  the  pickets 
as  to  afford  no  facilities  for  scaling  them,  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  they  formed  platforms  and  breast-works  that  might 
have  greatly  added  to  the  safety  of  those  who  should  be  re- 
quired to  defend  this  portion  of  the  fortress.  Taking  his 
way  directly  amid  the  parallel  piles,  the  stranger  descended 
rapidly  through  the  whole  of  their  mazes,  until  he  had 
reached  the  open  space  between  the  outer  of  the  rows  and 
the  palisadoes,  a  space  that  was  warily  left  too  wide  to  be 
passed  by  the  leap  of  man. 

"'Tis  many  a  day  since  foot  of  mine  has  been  in  this 
spot,"  said  Kben  Dudley,  feeling  his  way  along  a  path  that 


138          Ube  Wept  of 


his  companion  threaded  without  any  apparent  hesitation. 
"  My  own  hand  laid  this  outer  pile  some  winters  since,  and 
certain  am  I,  that  from  that  hour  to  this,  man  hath  not 
touched  a  billet  of  the  wood.  And  yet,  for  one  who  hath 
come  from  over  sea,  it  would  appear  that  thou  hast  no  great 
difficulty  in  making  way  among  the  narrow  lanes  !  '  ' 

'  '  He  that  hath  sight  may  well  choose  between  air  and 
beechen  logs,  '  '  returned  the  other,  stopping  at  the  palsadoes, 
and  in  a  place  that  was  concealed  from  any  prying  eyes 
within  the  works,  by  triple  and  quadruple  barriers  of  wood. 
Feeling  in  his  girdle,  he  then  drew  forth  something  which 
Dudley  was  not  long  in  discovering  to  be  a  key.  While 
the  latter,  aided  by  the  little  light  that  fell  from  the  heavens, 
was  endeavoring  to  make  the  most  of  his  eyes,  Submission 
applied  the  instrument  to  a  lock  that  was  artfully  sunk  in 
one  of  the  timbers,  at  the  height  of  a  man's  breast  from  the 
ground,  and  giving  a  couple  of  vigorous  turns,  a  piece  of 
the  palisado,  some  half  a  fathom  long,  yielded  on  a  power- 
ful hinge  below,  and  falling,  made  an  opening  sufficiently 
large  for  the  passage  of  a  human  body. 

"Here  is  a  sally-port  ready  provided  for  our  sortie," 
the  stranger  coolly  observed,  motioning  to  the  other  to 
precede  him.  When  Dudley  had  passed,  his  companion 
followed,  and  the  opening  was  then  carefully  closed  and 
locked. 

"  Now  is  all  fast  again,  and  we  are  in  the  fields  without 
raising  alarm  to  any  of  mortal  birth,  at  least,"  continued 
the  guide,  thrusting  a  hand  into  the  folds  of  his  doublet,  as 
if  to  feel  for  a  weapon,  and  preparing  to  descend  the  diffi- 
cult declivity  which  still  lay  between  him  and  the  base  of 
the  hill.  Bben  Dudley  hesitated  to  follow.  The  interview 
with  the  traveller  in  the  mountains  occurred  to  his  heated 
imagination,  and  the  visions  of  a  prestigious  agency  revived 
with  all  their  original  force.  The  whole  manner  and  the 
mysterious  character  of  his  companion  was  little  likely  to 
reassure  a  mind  disturbed  with  such  images. 

"There  is  a  rumor  going  in  the  colony,"  muttered  the 
borderer,  "that  the  invisibles  are  permitted  for  a  time  to 
work  their  evil  ;  and  it  may  well  happen  that  some  of  their 


Wept  of  WHisb^tTon^Mtsb          139 

ungodly  members  shall  journey  to  the  Wish-Ton-Wish,  in 
lack  of  better  employment." 

' '  Thou  sayst  truly, ' '  replied  the  stranger  ;  ' '  but  the  power 
that  allows  of  their  wicked  torments  may  have  seen  fit  to 
provide  an  agent  of  his  own  to  defeat  their  subtleties.  We 
will  not  draw  nearer  to  the  gate,  in  order  that  an  eye  may 
be  kept  on  their  malicious  designs. ' ' 

Submission  spoke  with  gravity,  and  not  without  a  certain 
manner  of  solemnity.  Dudley  yielded,  though  with  a  divided 
and  a  disturbed  mind,  to  his  suggestion.  Still  he  followed 
in  the  footsteps  of  the  stranger,  with  a  caution  that  might 
well  have  eluded  the  vigilance  of  any  agency  short  of  that 
which  drew  its  means  of  information  from  sources  deeper 
than  any  of  human  power. 

When  the  two  watchers  had  found  a  secret  and  suitable 
place,  not  far  from  the  postern,  they  disposed  themselves  in 
silence  to  await  the  result.  The  out-buildings  lay  in  deep 
quiet,  not  a  sound  of  any  sort  arising  from  all  of  the  many 
tenants  they  were  known  to  contain.  The  lines  of  ragged 
fences  ;  the  blackened  stumps,  capped  with  little  pyramids 
of  snow  ;  the  taller  and  sometimes  suspicious-looking  stubs  ; 
an  insulated  tree,  and  finally  the  broad  border  of  forest — 
were  alike  motionless,  gloomy,  and  clothed  in  the  doubtful 
forms  of  night.  Still,  the  space  around  the  well-secured 
and  trebly-barred  postern  was  vacant.  A  sheet  of  spotless 
snow  served  as  a  background,  that  would  have  been  sure  to 
betray  the  presence  of  any  object  passing  over  its  surface. 
Kven  the  conch  might  be  seen  suspended  from  one  of  the 
timbers,  as  mute  and  inoffensive  as  the  hour  when  it  had 
been  washed  by  the  waves  on  the  sands  of  the  seashore. 

' '  Here  will  we  watch  for  the  coming  of  the  stranger,  be 
he  commissioned  by  the  powers  of  air,  or  be  he  one  sent  on 
an  errand  of  earth,"  whispered  Submission,  preparing  his 
arms  for  immediate  use,  and  disposing  of  his  person,  at  the 
same  time,  in  a  manner  most  convenient  to  endure  the  weari- 
ness of  a  patient  watch. 

"  I  would  my  mind  were  at  ease  on  the  question  of  right 
doing  in  dealing  harm  to  one  who  disturbs  the  quiet  of  3 
border  family,"  said  Dudley,  in  a  tone  sufficiently  repressed 


GDC  'Wliept  of 


for  caution  ;  it  may  be  found  prudent  to  strike  the  first  blow 
should  one  like  an  over-sea  gallant,  after  all,  be  inclined  to 
trouble  us  at  this  hour." 

'  '  In  that  strait,  thou  wilt  do  well  to  give  little  heed  to 
the  order  of  the  offences,"  gloomily  returned  the  other. 
4  *  Should  another  messenger  of  England  appear  —  '  ' 

He  paused,  for  a  note  of  the  conch  was  heard  rising  gradu- 
ally on  the  air,  until  the  whole  of  the  wide  valley  was  filled 
with  its  rich  and  melancholy  sound. 

'  '  lyip  of  man  is  not  at  the  shell  !  '  '  exclaimed  the  stranger, 
who  like  Dudley  had  made  a  forward  movement  towards  the 
postern  the  instant  the  blast  reached  his  ear,  and  who,  like 
Dudley,  recoiled  in  an  amazement  that  even  his  practised 
self-command  could  not  conceal,  as  he  undeniably  perceived 
the  truth  of  that  his  speech  affirmed.  *  *  This  exceedeth  all 
former  instances  of  marvellous  visitations  !  '  ' 

'  '  It  is  vain  to  pretend  to  raise  the  feeble  nature  of  man  to 
the  level  of  things  coming  from  the  invisible  world,"  re- 
turned the  woodsman  at  his  side.  '  *  In  such  a  strait,  it  is 
seemly  that  sinful  men  should  withdraw  to  the  dwellings, 
where  we  may  sustain  our  feebleness  by  the  spiritual  striv- 
ings of  the  captain." 

To  this  discreet  proposal  the  stranger  raised  no  objection. 
Without  taking  the  time  necessary  to  effect  their  retreat 
with  the  precaution  that  had  been  observed  in  their 
advance,  the  two  adventurers  quickly  found  themselves 
at  the  secret  entrance  through  which  they  had  so  lately 
issued. 

'  '  Enter,  '  '  said  the  stranger,  lowering  the  piece  of  the 
palisado  for  the  passage  of  his  companion.  "Enter,  for 
Heaven's  sake  !  for  it  is  truly  meet  that  we  assemble  all  our 
spiritual  succor." 

Dudley  was  in  the  act  of  complying,  when  a  dark  line,  ac- 
companied by  a  low,  rushing  sound,  cut  the  air  between  his 
head  and  that  of  his  companion.  At  the  next  instant,  a  flint- 
headed  arrow  quivered  in  the  timber. 

1  *  The  heathen  !  '  '  shouted  the  borderer,  recovering  all  his 
manhood  as  the  familiar  danger  became  apparent,  and  throw- 
ing back  a  stream  of  fire  in  the  direction  from  which  the 


Gbe  Wept  of  Mfsb^on^Mtsb          141 


treacherous  missile  had  come.  ' '  To  the  palisadoes,  men  !  the 
bloody  heathen  is  upon  us  !  " 

"  The  heathen  !  "  echoed  the  stranger,  in  a  deep,  steady, 
commanding  voice,  that  had  evidently  often  raised  the  warn- 
ing in  scenes  of  even  greater  emergency,  and  levelling  a  pistol, 
which  brought  a  dark  form  that  was  gliding  across  the 
snow  to  one  knee,  ' '  The  heathen !  the  bloody  heathen  is 
upon  us ! " 

As  if  both  assailants  and  assailed  paused,  one  moment  of 
profound  stillness  succeeded  this  fierce  interruption  of  the 
quiet  of  the  night.  Then  the  cries  of  the  two  adventurers 
were  answered  by  a  burst  of  yells  from  a  wide  circle,  that 
nearly  environed  the  hill.  At  the  same  moment  each  dark 
object  in  the  fields  gave  up  a  human  form.  The  shouts  were 
followed  by  a  cloud  of  arrows,  that  rendered  further  delay 
without  the  cover  of  the  palisadoes  eminently  hazardous. 
Dudley  entered  ;  but  the  passage  of  the  stranger  would  have 
been  cut  off  by  a  leaping,  whooping  band  that  pressed 
fiercely  on  his  rear,  had  not  a  broad  sheet  of  flame,  glancing 
from  the  hill  directly  in  their  swarthy  and  grim  countenances, 
driven  the  assailants  back  upon  their  own  footsteps.  In 
another  moment,  the  bolts  of  the  lock  were  passed,  and  the 
two  fugitives  were  in  safety  behind  the  ponderous  piles  of 
wood. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

"There  need  no  ghost,  my  lord,  come  from  the  grave 
To  tell  us  this." 

Hamlet. 

ALTHOUGH  the  minds  of  most,  if  not  of  all  the  in- 
mates of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish,  had  been  so  power- 
fully exercised  that  night  with  a  belief  that  the 
powers  of  the  invisible  world  were  about  to  be  let 
loose  upon  them,  the  danger  had  now  presented  itself  in  a 
shape  too  palpable  to  admit  of  further  doubt.  The  cry  of 
'  *  the  heathen  ' '  had  been  raised  from  every  lip  ;  even  the 
daughter  and  Steve  of  Ruth  repeated  it,  as  they  fled  wailing 
through  the  buildings  ;  and,  for  a  moment,  terror  and  sur- 
prise appeared  to  involve  the  assailed  in  inextricable  confu- 
sion. But  the  promptitude  of  the  young  men  in  rushing  to 
the  rescue,  with  the  steadiness  of  Content,  soon  restored 
order.  Even  the  females  assumed  at  least  the  semblance  of 
composure,  the  family  having  been  too  long  trained  to 
meet  the  exigencies  of  such  an  emergency  to  be  thrown 
entirely  off  its  guard,  for  more  than  the  first  and  the  most 
appalling  moments  of  the  alarm. 

The  effect  of  the  sudden  repulse  was  such  as  all  experi- 
ence had  taught  the  colonists  to  expect,  in  their  Indian  war- 
fare. The  uproar  of  the  onset  ceased  as  abruptly  as  it  had 
commenced,  and  a  calmness  so  tranquil,  and  a  stillness  so 
profound,  succeeded,  that  one  who  had  for  the  first  time 
witnessed  such  a  scene  might  readily  have  fancied  it  the 
effects  of  some  wild  and  fearful  illusion. 

During  these  moments  of  general  and  deep  silence,  the 
two  adventurers,  whose  retreat  had  probably  hastened  the 

142 


Ube  Mept  of  Misb*Uon*Wfsb          143 

assault  by  offering  the  temptation  of  an  easy  passage  within 
the  works,  left  the  cover  of  the  piles  of  wood,  and  ascended 
the  hill  to  the  place  where  Dudley  knew  Content  was  to  be 
posted,  in  the  event  of  a  summons  to  the  defences. 

' '  Unless  much  inquiry  hath  deceived  me  in  the  nature  of 
the  heathen's  craftiness,"  said  the  stranger,  "  we  shall  have 
breathing-time  ere  the  onset  be  renewed.  The  experience 
of  a  soldier  bids  me  say,  that  prudence  now  urges  us  to  look 
into  the  number  and  position  of  our  foes,  that  we  may  order 
our  resistance  with  better  understanding  of  their  force. ' ' 

' '  In  what  manner  of  way  may  this  be  done  ?  Thou 
seest  naught  about  us  but  the  quiet  and  the  darkness  of 
night,  Speak  of  the  number  of  our  enemies  we  cannot,  and 
sally  forth  we  may  not,  without  certain  destruction  to  all 
who  quit  the  palisadoes. ' ' 

' '  Thou  forgettest  that  we  have  a  hostage  in  the  boy  ;  he 
may  be  turned  to  some  advantage,  if  our  power  over  his 
person  be  used  with  discretion." 

'  *  I  doubt  that  we  deceive  ourselves  with  a  hope  that  is 
vain,"  returned  Content,  leading  the  way  as  he  spoke,  how- 
ever, towards  the  court  which  communicated  with  the  prin- 
cipal dwelling.  ' '  I  have  closely  studied  the  eye  of  that  lad, 
since  his  unaccountable  entrance  within  the  works,  and  lit- 
tle do  I  find  there  that  should  teach  us  to  expect  confidence. 
It  will  be  happy  if  some  secret  understanding  with  those 
without  has  not  aided  him  in  passing  the  palisadoes,  and 
that  he  prove  not  a  dangerous  spy  on  our  force  and  move- 
ments." 

"  In  regard  to  that  he  hath  entered  the  dwelling  without 
sound  of  conch  or  aid  of  postern,  be  not  disturbed,"  re- 
turned the  stranger  with  composure.  ' '  Were  it  fitting,  this 
mystery  might  be  of  easy  explanation ;  but  it  may  truly 
need  all  our  sagacity  to  discover  whether  he  hath  connection 
with  our  foes  !  The  mind  of  a  native  does  not  give  up  its 
secrets  like  the  surface  of  a  vanity-feeding  mirror." 

The  stranger  spoke  like  a  man  who  wrapped  a  portion 
of  his  thoughts  in  reserve,  and  his  companion  listened  as  one 
who  comprehended  more  than  it  might  be  seemly  or  discreet 
to  betray.  With  this  secret  and  yet  equivocal  understand- 


144          ftbe  TKftept  of  WisI>zrotWIKIiisb 

ing  of  each  other's  meaning,  they  entered  the  dwelling,  and 
soon  found  themselves  in  the  presence  of  those  they  sought. 

The  constant  danger  of  their  situation  had  compelled  the 
family  to  bring  themselves  within  the  habits  of  a  method- 
ical and  severely-regulated  order  of  defence.  Duties  were 
assigned,  in  the  event  of  alarm,  to  the  feeblest  bodies  and 
the  faintest  hearts  ;  and  during  the  moments  which  pre- 
ceded the  visit  of  her  husband,  Ruth  had  been  endeavoring 
to  commit  to  her  female  subordinates  the  several  necessary 
charges  that  usage,  and  more  particularly  the  emergency  of 
the  hour,  appeared  so  imperiously  to  require. 

"  Hasten,  Charity,  to  the  block,"  she  said;  "  and  look 
into  the  condition  of  the  buckets  and  the  ladders,  that 
should  the  heathen  drive  us  to  its  shelter,  provision  of 
water,  and  means  of  retreat,  be  not  wanting  in  our  ex- 
tremity ;  and  hie  thee,  Faith,  into  the  upper  apartments,  to 
see  that  no  lights  may  direct  their  murderous  aim  at  any  in 
the  chambers.  Thoughts  come  tardily,  when  the  arrow  or 
the  bullet  hath  already  taken  its  flight !  And  now  that  the 
first  assault  is  over,  Mark,  and  we  may  hope  to  meet  the 
wiles  of  the  enemy  by  some  prudence  of  our  own,  thou 
mayst  go  forth  to  thy  father.  It  would  have  been  tempt- 
ing Providence  too  rashly,  hadst  thou  rushed,  unbidden  and 
uninformed,  into  the  first  hurry  of  the  danger.  Come  hither  ; 
child,  and  receive  the  blessing  and  prayers  of  thy  mother ; 
after  which  thou  shalt,  with  better  trust  in  Providence,  place 
thy  young  person  among  the  combatants,  in  the  hope  of 
victory.  Remember  that  thou  art  now  of  an  age  to  do  jus- 
tice to  thy  name  and  origin,  and  yet  art  thou  of  years  too 
tender  to  be  foremost  in  speech,  and  far  less  in  action,  on 
such  a  night  as  this. ' ' 

A  momentary  flush,  that  only  served  to  render  the  suc- 
ceeding paleness  more  obvious,  passed  across  the  brow  of 
the  mother.  She  stooped  and  imprinted  a  kiss  on  the 
forehead  of  the  impatient  boy,  who  scarcely  waited  to  re- 
ceive this  act  of  tenderness,  ere  he  hurried  to  place  himself 
in  the  ranks  of  her  defenders. 

"  And  now,"  said  Ruth,  slowly  turning  her  eye  from  the 
door  by  which  the  lad  had  disappeared,  and  speaking  with 


Mept  of  OTfsfo^ron^Wisb          145 

a  sort  of  unnatural  composure,  * '  and  now  we  will  look  to 
the  safety  of  those  who  can  be  of  but  little  service,  except 
as  sentinels  to  sound  the  alarm.  When  thou  art  certain, 
Faith,  that  no  neglected  light  is  in  the  rooms  above,  take 
the  children  to  the  secret  chamber ;  thence  they  may  look 
upon  the  fields,  without  danger  from  any  chance  direction 
of  the  savages'  aim.  Thou  knowest,  Faith,  my  frequent 
teaching  in  this  matter  ;  let  no  sounds  of  alarm,  nor  fright- 
ful whoopings  of  the  people  without,  cause  thee  to  quit  the 
spot ;  since  thou  wilt  there  be  safer  even  than  in  the  block, 
against  which  many  missiles  will  doubtless  be  driven,  on 
account  of  its  seeming  air  of  strength.  Timely  notice  shall 
be  given  of  the  change,  should  we  seek  its  security.  Thou 
wilt  descend  only  shouldst  thou  see  enemies  scaling  the 
palisadoes  on  the  side  which  overhangs  the  stream ;  since 
there  have  we  the  fewest  eyes  to  watch  their  movements. 
Remember  that  on  the  side  of  the  out-buildings  and  of  the 
fields  our  force  is  chiefly  posted  ;  there  can  be  less  reason, 
therefore,  that  thou  shouldst  expose  thy  lives  by  endeavor- 
ing to  look  too  curiously  into  that  which  passeth  in  the 
fields.  Go,  my  children  ;  and  a  heavenly  Providence  prove 
thy  guardian  ! ' ' 

Ruth  stooped  to  kiss  the  cheek  that  her  daughter  offered 
to  the  salute.  The  embrace  was  then  given  to  the  other 
child,  who  was  in  truth  scarcely  less  near  her  heart,  being 
the  orphan  daughter  of  one  who  had  been  as  a  sister  in  her 
affections.  But,  unlike  the  kiss  she  had  impressed  on  the 
forehead  of  Mark,  the  present  embraces  were  hasty,  and 
evidently  awakened  less  intense  emotion.  She  had  com- 
mitted the  boy  to  a  known  and  positive  danger,  but,  under 
the  semblance  of  some  usefulness,  she  sent  the  others  to  a 
place  believed  to  be  even  less  exposed,  so  long  as  the  enemy 
could  be  kept  without  the  works,  than  the  citadel  itself. 
Still,  a  feeling  of  deep  and  maternal  tenderness  came  over 
her  mind,  as  her  daughter  retired  ;  and  yielding  to  its  sud- 
den impulse,  she  recalled  the  girl  to  her  side. 

* '  Thou  wilt  repeat  the  prayer  for  especial  protection 
against  the  dangers  of  the  wilderness, ' '  she  solemnly  con- 
tinued. "  In  thy  asking,  fail  not  to  remember  him  to  whom 


146          trbe  Mept  of 


thou  owest  being,  and  who  now  exposeth  life,  that  we  may 
be  safe.  Thou  knowest  the  Christian's  rock  ;  place  thy 
faith  on  its  foundation." 

''And  they  who  seek  to  kill  us,"  demanded  the  well- 
instructed  child  ;  '  '  are  they  too  of  the  number  of  those  for 
whom  He  died?" 

"  It  may  not  be  doubted,  though  the  manner  of  the  dis- 
pensation be  so  mysterious  !  Barbarians  in  their  habits, 
and  ruthless  in  their  enmities,  they  are  creatures  of  our 
nature,  and  equally  objects  of  his  care." 

Flaxen  locks,  that  half  covered  a  forehead  and  face  across 
which  ran  the  most  delicate  tracery  of  veins,  added  lustre  to 
a  skin  as  spotlessly  fair  as  if  the  warm  breezes  of  that  latitude 
had  never  fanned  the  countenance  of  the  girl.  Through 
this  maze  of  ringlets,  the  child  turned  her  full,  clear,  blue 
eyes,  bending  her  looks,  in  wonder  and  in  fear,  on  the  dark 
visage  of  the  captive  Indian  youth,  who  at  that  moment  was 
to  her  a  subject  of  secret  horror.  Unconscious  of  the  inter- 
est he  excited,  the  lad  stood  calm,  haughty,  and  seemingly 
unobservant,  cautious  to  let  no  sign  of  weakness  or  of  con- 
cern escape  him,  in  this  scene  of  womanly  emotion. 

"Mother,"  whispered  the  still  wondering  child,  "may 
we  not  let  him  go  into  the  forest  ?  I  do  not  love  to  —  '  ' 

"  This  is  no  time  for  speech.  Go  to  thy  hiding-place,  my 
child,  and  remember  both  thy  askings  and  the  cautions  I 
have  named.  Go,  and  heavenly  care  protect  thy  innocent 
head!" 

Ruth  again  stooped,  and  bowing  her  face  until  the  fea- 
tures were  lost  in  the  rich  tresses  of  her  daughter,  a  moment 
passed  during  which  there  was  an  eloquent  silence.  When 
she  arose,  a  tear  glistened  on  the  cheek  of  the  child.  The 
latter  had  received  the  embrace  more  in  apathy  than  in  con- 
cern ;  and  now,  when,  led  towards  the  upper  rooms,  she 
moved  from  the  presence  of  her  mother,  it  was  with  an  eye 
that  never  bent  its  riveted  gaze  from  the  features  of  the 
young  Indian,  until  the  intervening  walls  hid  him  entirely 
from  her  sight. 

"  Thou  hast  been  thoughtful  and  like  thyself,  my  good 
Ruth,"  said  Content,  who  at  that  moment  entered,  and  who 


ZCbe  TPOtept  of  Mtsb^on^TKUfsb          147 

rewarded  the  self-command  of  his  wife  by  a  look  of  the 
kindest  approbation.  "The  youths  have  not  been  more 
prompt  in  meeting  the  foe  at  the  stockades,  than  thy  maid- 
ens in  looking  to  their  less  hardy  duties.  All  is  again  quiet 
without ;  and  we  come,  now,  rather  for  consultation,  than 
for  any  purposes  of  strife." 

"  Then  must  we  summon  our  father  from  his  post  at  the 
artillery,  in  the  block." 

"It  is  not  needful,"  interrupted  the  stranger.  "Time 
presses,  for  this  calm  may  be  too  shortly  succeeded  by  a 
tempest  that  all  our  power  shall  not  quell.  Bring  forth  the 
captive. ' ' 

Content  signed  to  the  boy  to  approach,  and  when  he  was 
in  reach  of  his  hand,  he  placed  him  full  before  the  stranger. 

"  I  know  not  thy  name,  nor  even  that  of  thy  people," 
commenced  the  other,  after  a  long  pause  in  which  he  seemed 
to  study  deeply  the  countenance  of  the  lad  ;  *'  but  certain 
am  I,  though  a  more  wicked  spirit  may  still  be  struggling 
for  the  mastery  in  thy  wild  mind,  that  nobleness  of  feeling 
is  no  stranger  in  thy  bosom.  Speak  ;  hast  thou  aught  to 
impart  concerning  the  danger  that  besets  this  family  ?  I 
have  learned  much  this  night  from  thy  manner,  but  to  be 
clearly  understood,  it  is  now  time  that  thou  shouldst  speak 
in  words." 

The  youth  kept  his  eye  fastened  on  that  of  the  speaker, 
until  the  other  had  ended,  and  then  he  bent  it  slowly,  but 
with  searching  observation,  on  the  anxious  countenance  of 
Ruth.  It  seemed  as  if  he  balanced  between  his  pride  and 
his  sympathies.  The  latter  prevailed  ;  for,  conquering  the 
deep  reluctance  of  an  Indian,  he  spoke  openly,  and  for  the 
first  time  since  his  captivity,  in  the  language  of  the  hated 
race. 

"I  hear  the  whoops  of  warriors,"  was  his  calm  answer. 
"Have  the  ears  of  the  pale-men  been  shut  ?  " 

* '  Thou  hast  spoken  with  the  young  men  of  thy  tribe  in 
the  forest,  and  thou  hadst  knowledge  of  this  onset  ? ' ' 

The  youth  made  no  reply,  though  the  keen  look  of  hi? 
interrogator  was  met  steadily,  and  without  fear.  Perceiving 
that  he  had  demanded  more  than  would  be  answered,  the 


148          ZTbe  TKHept  of 


stranger  changed  his  mode  of  investigation,  masking  his 
inquiries  with  a  little  more  of  artifice. 

'  '  It  may  not  be  that  a  great  tribe  is  on  the  bloody  path  !  '  ' 
he  said  ;  '  '  warriors  would  have  walked  over  the  timbers  of 
the  palisadoes  like  bending  reeds  !  'T  is  a  Pequot,  who  hath 
broken  faith  with  a  Christian,  and  who  is  now  abroad, 
prowling  as  a  wolf  in  the  night.  '  ' 

A  sudden  and  wild  expression  gleamed  over  the  swarthy 
features  of  the  boy.  His  lips  moved,  and  the  words  that 
issued  from  between  them  were  uttered  in  the  tones  of 
biting  scorn.  Still  he  rather  muttered  than  pronounced 
aloud,  — 

'  '  The  Pequot  is  a  dog  !  '  ' 

"  It  is  as  I  had  thought  :  the  knaves  are  out  of  their  vil- 
lages, that  the  Yengeese  may  feed  their  squaws.  But  a 
Narragansett,  or  a  Wampanoag,  is  a  man  ;  he  scorns  to  lurk 
in  the  darkness.  When  he  comes,  the  sun  will  light  his 
path.  The  Pequot  steals  in  silence,  for  he  fears  that  the 
warriors  will  hear  his  tread.  '  ' 

It  was  not  easy  to  detect  any  evidence  that  the  captive 
listened,  either  to  the  commendation  or  the  censure,  with  an- 
swering sympathy  ;  for  marble  is  not  colder  than  were  the 
muscles  of  his  unmoved  countenance. 

The  stranger  studied  the  expression  of  his  features  in  vain, 
and  drawing  so  near  as  to  lay  his  hand  on  the  naked  shoul- 
der of  the  lad,  he  added,  "  Boy,  thou  rjast  heard  much  mov- 
ing matter  concerning  the  nature  of  our  Christian  faith,  and 
thou  hast  been  the  subject  of  many  a  fervent  asking  ;  it  may 
not  be  that  so  much  good  seed  hath  been  altogether  scat- 
tered by  the  wayside  !  Speak  ;  may  I  again  trust  thee  ?  '  ' 

'  *  Let  my  father  look  on  the  snow.  The  print  of  the  moc- 
casin goes  and  comes.  '  ' 

"  It  is  true.  Thus  far  hast  thou  proved  honest.  But  when 
the  war-whoop  shall  be  thrilling  through  thy  young  blood, 
the  temptation  to  join  the  warriors  may  be  too  strong.  Hast 
any  gage,  any  pledge,  in  which  we  may  find  warranty  for 
letting  thee  depart?" 

The  boy  regarded  his  interrogator  with  a  look  that  plainly 
denoted  ignorance  of  his  meaning. 


Wept  of  Mfsb^on^Wisb          149 

"  I  would  know  what  thou  canst  leave  with  me,  to  show 
that  our  eyes  shall  again  look  upon  thy  face,  when  we  have 
opened  the  gate  for  thy  passage  into  the  fields." 

Still  the  gaze  of  the  other  was  wondering  and  con- 
fused. 

"When  the  white  man  goes  upon  the  war-path,  and 
would  put  trust  in  his  foe,  he  takes  surety  for  his  faith,  by 
holding  the  life  of  one  dear  as  a  warranty  of  its  truth.  What 
canst  offer,  that  I  may  know  thou  wilt  return  from  the 
errand  on  which  I  would  fain  send  thee  ?  ' ' 

"The  path  is  open." 

"  Open,  but  not  certain  to  be  used.  Fear  may  cause  thee 
to  forget  the  way  it  leads. ' ' 

The  captive  now  understood  the  meaning  of  the  other's 
doubts,  but,  as  if  disdaining  to  reply,  he  bent  his  eyes  aside, 
and  stood  in  one  of  those  immovable  attitudes  which  so  often 
gave  him  the  air  of  a  piece  of  dark  statuary. 

Content  and  his  wife  had  listened  to  this  short  dialogue, 
in  a  manner  to  prove  that  they  possessed  some  secret 
knowledge,  which  lessened  the  wonder  they  might  other- 
wise have  felt,  at  witnessing  so  obvious  proofs  of  a  secret 
acquaintance  between  the  speakers.  Both,  however,  mani- 
fested unequivocal  signs  of  astonishment,  whan  they  first 
heard  English  sounds  issuing  from  the  lips  of  the  boy.  There 
was,  at  least,  the  semblance  of  hope  in  the  mediation  of  one 
who  had  received  and  who  had  appeared  to  acknowledge, 
so  much  kindness  from  herself;  and  Ruth  clung  to  the 
cheering  expectation  with  the  quickness  of  maternal  care. 

"  L,et  the  boy  depart,"  she  said.  "  I  will  be  his  hostage  ; 
and  should  he  prove  false,  there  can  be  less  to  fear  in  his 
absence  then  in  his  presence. ' ' 

The  obvious  truth  of  the  latter  assertion  probably  weighed 
more  with  the  stranger  than  the  unmeaning  pledge  of  the 
woman. 

"  There  is  reason  in  this,"  he  resumed.  "  Go,  then,  into 
the  fields,  and  say  to  thy  people  that  they  have  mistaken  the 
path  ;  that  they  are  on  hath  led  them  to  the  dwelling  of  a 
friend.  Here  are  no  Pequots,  nor  any  of  the  men  of  the 
Manhattoes  ;  but  Christian  Yengeese,  who  have  long  dealt 


150          ttbe  Wept  of 


with  the  Indian  as  one  just  man  dealeth  with  another. 
Go,  and  when  thy  signal  shall  be  heard  at  the  gate,  it 
shall  be  opened  to  thee  for  readmission.  '  ' 

Thus  saying,  the  stranger  motioned  to  the  boy  to  follow, 
taking  care,  as  they  left  the  room  together,  to  instruct  him 
in  all  such  minor  matters  as  might  assist  in  effecting  the 
pacific  object  of  the  mission  on  which  he  was  employed. 

A  few  minutes  of  doubt  and  of  fearful  suspense  succeeded 
this  experiment.  The  stranger,  after  seeing  that  egress  was 
permitted  to  his  messenger,  had  returned  to  the  dwelling  and 
rejoined  his  companions.  He  passed  the  moments  in  pacing 
the  apartment,  with  the  strides  of  one  in  whom  powerful  con- 
cern was  strongly  at  work.  At  times,  the  sound  of  his  heavy 
footsteps  ceased,  and  then  all  listened  intently,  in  order  to 
catch  any  sound  that  might  instruct  them  in  the  nature  of 
the  scene  that  was  passing  without.  In  the  midst  of  one  of 
these  pauses,  a  yell  like  that  of  savage  delight  arose  in  the 
fields.  It  was  succeeded  by  the  death-like  and  portentous 
calm  which  had  rendered  the  time  since  the  momentary  at- 
tack even  more  alarming  than  when  the  danger  had  a  posi- 
tive and  known  character.  But  all  the  attention  the  most 
intense  anxiety  could  now  lend  furnished  no  additional  clue 
to  the  movements  of  their  foes.  For  many  minutes  the  quiet 
of  midnight  reigned  both  within  and  without  the  defences. 
In  the  midst  of  this  suspense  the  latch  of  the  door  was 
lifted,  and  their  messenger  appeared  with  that  noiseless 
tread  and  collected  mien  which  distinguish  the  people  of  his 
race. 

'  *  Thou  hast  met  the  warriors  of  thy  tribe  ?  '  '  hastily  de- 
manded the  stranger. 

'  '  The  noise  did  not  cheat  the  Yengeese.  It  was  not  a  girl 
laughing  in  the  woods." 

"  And  thou  hast  said  to  thy  people,  '  We  are  friends  '  ?  " 

"  The  words  of  my  father  were  spoken." 

1  '  And  heard  ?  were  they  loud  enough  to  enter  the  ears  of 
the  young  men  ?  '  ' 

The  boy  was  silent. 

"Speak,"  continued  the  stranger,  elevating  his  form 
proudly,  like  one  ready  to  breast  a  more  severe  shock. 


ttbe  Mept  of  Mtsb*Uon*Misb  151 

"  Thou  hast  men  for  thy  listeners.  Is  the  pipe  of  the 
savage  filled  ?  Will  he  smoke  in  peace,  or  holdeth  he  the 
tomahawk  in  a  clenched  hand  ?  ' ' 

The  countenance  of  the  boy  worked  with  a  feeling  that 
it  was  not  usual  for  an  Indian  to  betray.  He  bent  his 
look  with  concern  on  the  mild  eyes  of  the  anxious  Ruth  ; 
then  drawing  a  hand  slowly  from  beneath  the  light  robe 
that  partly  covered  his  body,  he  cast  at  the  feet  of  the 
stranger  a  bundle  of  arrows,  wrapped  in  the  glossy  and 
striped  skin  of  the  rattlesnake. 

"This  is  a  warning  we  may  not  misconceive!"  said 
Content,  raising  the  well-known  emblem  of  ruthless  hos- 
tility to  the  light,  and  exhibiting  it  before  the  eyes  of  his 
less  instructed  companion.  "  Boy,  what  have  the  people  of 
my  race  done,  that  thy  warriors  should  seek  their  blood  to 
this  extremity  ?  ' ' 

When  the  boy  had  discharged  his  duty  he  moved  aside, 
and  appeared  unwilling  to  observe  the  effect  which  his  mes- 
sage might  produce  on  his  companions.  But  thus  ques- 
tioned, all  gentle  feelings  were  near  being  forgotten  in  the 
sudden  force  of  passion.  A  hasty  glance  at  Ruth  quelled 
the  emotion,  and  he  continued  calm  as  ever,  and  silent. 

"Boy,"  repeated  Content,  "I  ask  thee  why  thy  people 
seek  our  blood?" 

The  passage  of  the  electric  spark  is  not  more  subtle, 
nor  is  it  scarcely  more  brilliant  than  was  the  gleam  that 
shot  into  the  dark  eye  of  the  Indian.  The  organ  seemed 
to  emit  rays  coruscant  as  the  glance  of  the  serpent.  His 
form  appeared  to  swell  with  the  inward  strivings  of  the 
spirit,  and  for  a  moment  there  was  every  appearance  of  a 
fierce  and  uncontrollable  burst  of  ferocious  passion.  The 
conquest  of  feeling  was,  however,  but  momentary.  He 
regained  his  self-command  by  a  surprising  effort  of  will, 
and  advancing  so  near  to  him  who  had  asked  this  bold 
question,  as  to  lay  a  finger  on  his  breast,  the  young  savage 
haughtily  said, — 

"See  !  this  world  is  very  wide.  There  is  room  on  it  for 
the  panther  and  the  deer.  Why  have  the  Yengeese  and  the 
redmen  met  ?  ' ' 


152          Ube  Mept  of 


1  '  We  waste  the  precious  moments  in  probing  the  stem 
nature  of  a  heathen,"  said  the  stranger.  ''The  object  of 
his  people  is  certain,  and,  with  the  aid  of  the  Christian's 
staff,  we  will  beat  back  their  power.  Prudence  requireth  at 
our  hands  that  the  lad  be  secured  ;  after  which,  will  we 
repair  to  the  stockades  and  prove  ourselves  men." 

Against  this  proposal  no  reasonable  objection  could  be 
raised.  Content  was  about  to  secure  the  person  of  his 
captive  in  a  cellar,  when  a  suggestion  of  his  wife  caused 
him  to  change  his  purpose.  Notwithstanding  the  sudden 
and  fierce  mien  of  the  youth,  there  had  been  such  an  in- 
telligence created  between  them  by  looks  of  kindness  and 
interest,  that  the  mother  was  reluctant  to  abandon  all  hope 
of  his  aid. 

"  Miantonimoh  !  "  she  said,  "  though  others  distrust  thy 
purpose,  I  will  have  confidence.  Come,  then,  with  me  ; 
and  while  I  give  thee  promise  of  safety  in  thine  own  per- 
son, I  ask  at  thy  hands  the  office  of  a  protector  for  my 
babes." 

The  boy  made  no  reply  ;  but  as  he  passively  followed  his 
conductress  to  the  chambers,  Ruth  fancied  she  read  assur- 
ance of  his  faith  in  the  expression  of  his  eloquent  eye.  At 
the  same  moment  her  husband  and  Submission  left  the  house 
to  take  their  stations  at  the  palisadoes. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

"Thou  art  my  good  youth  ;  my  page  ; 
I  '11  be  thy  master  :  walk  with  me;  speak  freely." 

Cymbeline. 

THE  apartment  in  which  Ruth  had  directed  the  chil- 
dren to  be  placed  was  in  the  attic,  and,  as  already 
stated,  on  the  side  of  the  building  which  faced  the 
stream  that  ran  at  the  foot  of  the  hill.  It  had  a 
single  projecting  window,  through  which  there  was  a  view 
of  the  forest  and  of  the  fields  on  that  side  of  the  valley. 
Small  openings  in  its  sides  admitted  also  of  glimpses  of  the 
grounds  which  lay  farther  in  the  rear.  In  addition  to  the 
covering  of  the  roofs,  and  of  the  massive  frame-work  of  the 
building,  an  interior  partition  of  timber  protected  the  place 
against  the  entrance  of  most  missiles  then  known  in  the 
warfare  of  the  country.  During  the  infancy  of  the  chil- 
dren this  room  had  been  their  sleeping  apartment ;  nor  was 
it  abandoned  for  that  purpose  until  the  additional  outworks, 
which  increased  with  time  around  the  dwellings,  had  em- 
boldened the  family  to  trust  themselves  at  night  in  situations 
more  convenient,  and  which  were  believed  to  be  no  less 
equally  secure  against  surprise. 

' '  I  know  thee  to  be  one  who  feeleth  the  obligations  of 
a  warrior,"  said  Ruth,  as  she  ushered  her  follower  into  the 
presence  of  the  children.  "Thou  wilt  not  deceive  me; 
the  lives  of  these  tender  ones  are  in  thy  keeping.  Look 
to  them,  Miantonimoh,  and  the  Christian's  God  will  re- 
member thee  in  thine  own  hour  of  necessity  !  ' ' 

The  boy  made  no  reply,  but  in  a  gentle  expression  which 
was  visible  in  his  dark  visage,  the  mother  endeavored  to  find 

•s! 


...  _ . -  _ , 


"\  ::.::    :  tr:  t 

He 
Mi 
-- 


156          ZTbe  Wept  of 


the    garrison  was    now  actively  employed  in  resisting  the 
main  attack. 

*  *  In  the  name  of  Him  who  is  with  us  in  every  danger  !  '  ' 
exclaimed  Ruth,   advancing   to  two  figures   that  were  so 
busily  engaged  in  their  own  concerns  as  not  to  heed  her 
approach,  "  tell  me  how  goes  the  struggle?    Where  are  rny 
husband  and  the  boy  ?     Or  has  it  pleased  Providence  that 
any  of  our  people  should  be  stricken  ?  '  ' 

'  '  It  hath  pleased  the  devil,  '  '  returned  Eben  Dudley,  some- 
what irreverently  for  one  of  that  chastened  school,  "  to  send 
an  Indian  arrow  through  jerkin  and  skin  into  this  arm  of 
mine  !  Softly,  Faith  ;  dost  think,  girl,  that  the  covering  of 
man  is  like  the  coat  of  a  sheep,  from  which  the  fleece  may 
be  plucked  at  will?  I  am  no  moulting  fowl,  nor  is  this 
arrow  a  feather  of  my  wing.  The  Lord  forgive  the  rogue 
for  the  ill  turn  he  hath  done  my  flesh,  say  I,  and  amen  like 
a  Christian  !  He  will  have  occasion  too  for  the  mercy,  see- 
ing he  hath  nothing  further  to  hope  for  in  this  world.  Now, 
Faith,  I  acknowledge  the  debt  of  thy  kindness,  and  let  there 
be  no  more  cutting  speech  between  us.  Thy  tongue  often 
pricketh  more  sorety  than  the  Indian's  arrow." 

'  '  Whose  fault  is  it  that  old  acquaintance  hath  sometimes 
been  overlooked  in  new  conversations  ?  Thou  knowest 
that,  wooed  by  proper  speech,  no  maiden  in  the  colony  is 
wont  to  render  gentler  answer.  Dost  feel  uneasiness  in 
thine  arm,  Dudley  ?  '  ' 

<0Tis  not  tickling  with  a  straw,  to  drive  a  flint-headed 
arrow  to  the  bone  !  I  forgive  thee  the  matter  of  too  much 
discourse  with  the  trooper,  and  all  the  side-cuts  of  thy  over- 
ambling  tongue,  on  conditions  that  —  '  ' 

*  '  Out  upon  thee,  brawler  !     Wouldst  be  prating  here  the 
night  long  on  pretence  of  a  broken  skin,  and  the  savage  at 
our  gates  !     A  fine  character  will  the  madam  render  of  thy 
deeds  when  the  other  youths  have  beaten  back  the  Indian, 
and  thou  loitering  among  the  buildings  !  '  ' 

The  discomfited  borderer  was  about  to  curse  in  his  heart 
the  versatile  humor  of  his  mistress,  when  he  saw,  by  a  side 
glance,  that  ears  which  had  no  concern  in  the  subject  had 
liked  to  have  shared  in  the  matter  of  their  discourse. 


Wept  of  Wtsb^Uon^TOisb          157 

Seizing  the  weapon  which  was  leaning  against  the  founda- 
tion of  the  block,  he  hurried  past  the  mistress  of  the  fam- 
ily, and  in  another  minute  his  voice  and  his  musket  were 
again  heard  ringing  in  the  uproar. 

' '  Does  he  bring  tidings  from  the  palisadoes  ?  ' '  repeated 
Ruth,  too  anxious  that  the  young  man  should  return  to 
his  post,  to  arrest  his  retreat.  '  *  What  saith  he  of  the 
onset?" 

"The  savage  hath  suffered  for  his  boldness,  and  little 
harm  hath  yet  come  to  our  people.  Except  that  yon  block 
of  a  man  hath  managed  to  put  arm  before  the  passage  of 
an  arrow,  I  know  not  that  any  of  our  people  have  been 
harmed. ' ' 

"  Hearken  !  they  retire,  Faith.  The  yells  are  less  near, 
and  our  young  men  will  prevail !  Go  thou  to  thy  charge 
among  the  piles  of  the  fuel,  and  see  that  no  lurker  remain- 
eth  to  do  injury.  The  Lord  hath  remembered  mercy,  and 
it  may  yet  arrive  that  this  evil  shall  pass  away  from  before 
us!" 

The  quick  ear  of  Ruth  had  not  deceived  her.  The 
tumult  of  the  assault  was  gradually  receding  from  the 
works,  and  though  the  flashings  of  the  muskets  and  the 
bellowing  reports  that  rang  in  the  surrounding  forest  were 
not  less  frequent  than  before,  it  was  plain  that  the  critical 
moment  of  the  onset  was  already  past.  In  place  of  the 
fierce  effort  to  carry  the  stockade  by  surprise,  the  savages 
had  now  resorted  to  means  that  were  more  methodical, 
and  which,  though  not  so  appalling  in  appearance,  were 
perhaps  quite  as  certain  of  final  success.  Ruth  profited  by 
a  momentary  cessation  in  the  flight  of  the  missiles,  to  seek 
those  in  whose  welfare  she  had  placed  her  chief  concern. 

"  Has  other  than  brave  Dudley  suffered  by  this  assault?  " 
demanded  the  anxious  wife,  as  she  passed  swiftly  among  a 
group  of  dusky  figures  that  were  collected  in  consultation 
on  the  brow  of  the  declivity ;  ' '  has  any  need  of  such  care 
as  a  woman's  hand  may  bestow?  Heathcote,  thy  person 
is  unharmed  ! ' ' 

"  Truly,  One  of  great  mercy  hath  watched  over  it,  for 
little  opportunity  hath  been  given  to  look  to  our  own 


158          Ube  nmept  of 


safety.  I  fear  that  some  of  our  young  men  have  not  re« 
garded  the  covers  with  the  attention  that  prudence  requires.  '  ' 

"  The  thoughtless  Mark  hath  forgotten  my  admoni- 
tions !  Boy,  thou  hast  never  lost  sight  of  duty  so  far  as 
to  precede  thy  father  ?  '  ' 

"One  sees  or  thinks  but  little  of  the  redskins  when  the 
whoop  is  ringing  among  the  timbers  of  the  palisadoes, 
mother,"  returned  the  boy,  dashing  his  hand  across  his 
brow,  in  order  that  the  drops  of  blood  which  were  trick- 
ling from  a  furrow  left  by  the  passage  of  an  arrow  might 
not  be  seen.  '  '  I  have  kept  near  my  father,  but  whether 
in  his  front  or  in  his  rear  the  darkness  hath  not  permitted 
me  to  note." 

"The  lad  hath  behaved  in  a  bold  and  seemly  manner," 
said  the  stranger  ;  '  '  and  he  hath  shown  the  metal  of  his 
grandsire's  stock.  Ha  !  what  is  't  we  see  gleaming  among 
the  sheds  ?  A  sortie  may  be  needed  to  save  the  granaries 
and  thy  folds  from  destruction  !  '  ' 

"To  the  barns!  to  the  barns!"  shouted  two  of  the 
youths,  from  their  several  lookouts.  *  *  The  brand  is  in  the 
buildings  !  "  exclaimed  a  maiden,  who  discharged  a  similar 
duty  under  cover  of  the  dwellings.  Then  followed  a  dis- 
charge of  muskets,  all  of  which  were  levelled  at  the  glanc- 
ing light  that  was  glaring  in  fearful  proximity  to  the 
combustible  materials  which  filled  the  most  of  the  out- 
buildings. A  savage  yell,  and  a  sudden  extinguishment  of 
the  blazing  knot,  announced  the  fatal  accuracy  of  the  aim. 

"This  may  not  be  neglected!"  exclaimed  Content, 
moved  to  extraordinary  excitement  by  the  extremity  of  the 
danger.  "  Father  !  "  he  called  aloud,  "  't  is  fitting  time  to 
show  our  utmost  strength." 

A  moment  of  suspense  succeeded  this  summons.  The 
whole  valley  was  then  as  suddenly  lighted  as  if  a  torrent 
of  the  electric  fluid  had  flashed  across  its  gloomy  bed  ;  a 
sheet  of  flame  glanced  from  the  attic  of  the  block,  and 
then  came  the  roar  of  the  little  piece  of  artillery,  which 
had  so  long  dwelt  there  in  silence.  The  rattling  of  a  shot 
among  the  sheds,  and  the  rending  of  timber  followed. 
Fifty  dark  forms  were  seen  by  the  momentary  light  gliding 


Ube  IKHept  of  Mteb*ITotWlKIUsb          159 

from  among  the  out-buildings,  in  an  alarm  natural  to  their 
ignorance,  and  with  an  agility  proportioned  to  their  alarm. 
The  moment  was  propitious.  Content  silently  motioned  to 
Reuben  Ring  ;  they  passed  the  postern  together,  and  disap- 
peared in  the  direction  of  the  barns.  The  period  of  their 
absence  was  one  of  intense  care  to  Ruth,  and  it  was  not 
without  its  anxiety  even  to  those  whose  nerves  were  bettei 
steeled.  A  few  moments,  however,  served  to  appease  these 
feelings ;  for  the  adventurers  returned  in  safety  and  as 
silently  as  they  had  quitted  the  defences.  The  trampling 
of  feet  on  the  crust  of  the  snow,  the  neighing  of  horses, 
and  the  bellowing  of  frightened  cattle,  as  the  terrified  beasts 
scattered  about  the  fields,  soon  proclaimed  the  object  of  the 
risk  which  had  just  been  run. 

" Enter,"  whispered  Ruth,  who  held  the  postern  with 
her  own  hand.  "Knter,  of  Heaven's  mercy!  Thou  hast 
given  liberty  to  every  hoof,  that  no  living  creature  perish 
by  the  flames?" 

' '  All ;  and  truly  not  too  speedily — for,  see — the  brand 
is  again  at  work  !  " 

Content  had  much  reason  to  felicitate  himself  on  his  ex- 
pedition ;  for  even  while  he  spoke,  half-concealed  torches, 
made  as  usual  of  blazing  knots  of  pine,  were  again  seen 
glancing  across  the  fields,  evidently  approaching  the  out- 
buildings, by  such  indirect  and  covered  paths  as  might  pro- 
tect those  who  bore  them  from  the  shot  of  the  garrison. 
A  final  and  common  effort  was  made  to  arrest  the  danger. 
The  muskets  of  the  young  men  were  active,  and  more  than 
once  did  the  citadel  of  the  stern  old  Puritan  give  forth 
its  flood  and  flame,  in  order  to  beat  back  the  dangerous  vis- 
itants. A  few  shrieks  of  savage  disappointment  and  of 
bodily  anguish  announced  the  success  of  these  discharges  ; 
but  though  most  of  those  who  approached  the  barns  were 
either  driven  back  in  fear  or  suffered  for  their  temerity 
one  among  them,  more  wary  or  more  practised  than  his 
companions,  found  means  to  effect  his  object.  The  firing 
had  ceased,  and  the  besieged  were  congratulating  them- 
selves on  success,  when  a  sudden  light  glared  across  the 
fields.  A  sheet  of  flame  soon  •  came  curling  over  the  crest 


160  TTfoe  Wept  of 


of  a  wheat-stack,  and  quickly  wrapped  the  inflammable 
material  in  its  fierce  torrent.  Against  this  destruction  there 
remained  no  remedy.  The  barns  and  inclosures,  which  so 
lately  had  been  lying  in  the  darkness  of  the  hour,  were  in- 
stantly illuminated,  and  life  would  have  been  the  penalty 
paid  by  any  of  either  party  who  should  dare  to  trust  his 
person  within  the  bright  glare.  The  borderers  were  soon 
compelled  to  fall  back,  even  within  the  shadows  of  the  hill, 
and  to  seek  such  covers  as  the  stockades  offered,  in  order  to 
avoid  the  aim  of  the  arrow  or  the  bullet. 

"This  is  a  mournful  spectacle  to  one  that  has  harvested 
in  charity  with  all  men,"  said  Content  to  the  trembler  who 
convulsively  clasped  his  arm,  as  the  flame  whirled  in  the 
currents  of  the  heated  air,  and  sweeping  once  or  twice 
across  the  roof  of  a  shed,  left  a  portion  of  its  torrent  creeping 
insidiously  along  the  wooden  covering.  '  *  The  in-gathering 
of  a  blessed  season  is  about  to  melt  into  ashes  before  the 
brand  of  these  accur  —  " 

"  Peace,  Heathcote  !  What  is  wealth,  or  the  fulness  of 
thy  granaries,  to  that  which  remains  ?  Check  these  repin- 
ings  of  thy  spirit,  and  bless  God  that  He  leaveth  us  our 
babes,  and  the  safety  of  our  inner  roofs.  '  ' 

'  c  Thou  sayest  truly,  '  '  returned  the  husband,  endeavoring 
to  imitate  the  meek  resignation  of  his  companion.  "  What 
indeed  are  the  gifts  of  the  world,  set  in  the  balance  against 
the  peace  of  mind  —  ha  !  that  evil  blast  of  wind  sealeth 
the  destruction  of  our  harvest  !  The  fierce  element  is  in  the 
heart  of  the  graneries." 

Ruth  made  no  reply,  for  though  less  moved  by  worldly 
cares  than  her  husband,  the  frightful  progress  of  the  con- 
flagration alarmed  her  with  a  sense  of  personal  danger. 
The  flames  had  passed  from  roof  to  roof,  and  meeting 
everywhere  with  fuel  of  the  most  combustible  nature,  the 
whole  of  the  vast  range  of  barns,  sheds,  granaries,  cribs, 
and  out-buildings  was  just  breaking  forth  in  the  brightness 
of  a  torrent  of  fire.  Until  this  moment,  suspense,  with 
hope  on  one  side  and  apprehension  on  the  other,  had  kept 
both  parties  mute  spectators  of  the  scene.  But  yells  of 
triumph  soon  proclaimed  the  delight  with  which  the  Indians 


ZTbe  Mept  of  'Misb^on^miBb          161 


witnessed  the  completion  of  their  fell  design.  The  whoops 
followed  this  burst  of  pleasure,  and  a  third  onset  was  made. 

The  combatants  now  fought  under  a  brightness  which, 
though  less  natural,  was  scarcely  less  brilliant  than  that  of 
noonday.  Stimulated  by  the  prospect  of  success  which 
was  offered  by  the  conflagration,  the  savages  rushed  upon 
the  stockade  with  more  audacity  than  it  was  usual  to  dis- 
play in  their  cautious  warfare.  A  broad  shadow  was  cast, 
by  the  hill  and  its  buildings,  across  the  fields  on  the  side 
opposite  to  the  flames,  and  through  this  belt  of  comparative 
gloom  the  fiercest  of  the  band  made  their  way  to  the  very 
palisadoes  with  impunity.  Their  presence  was  announced 
by  the  yell  of  delight,  for  too  many  curious  eyes  had  been 
drinking  in  the  fearful  beauty  of  the  conflagration  to  note 
their  approach  until  the  attack  had  nearly  proved  success- 
ful. The  rushes  to  the  defence  and  to  the  attack  were 
now  alike  quick  and  headlong.  Volleys  were  useless,  for 
the  timbers  offered  equal  security  to  both  assailant  and 
assailed.  It  was  a  struggle  of  hand  to  hand,  in  which  num- 
bers would  have  prevailed,  had  it  not  been  the  good  for- 
tune of  the  weaker  party  to  act  on  the  defensive.  Blows 
of  the  knife  were  passed  swiftly  between  the  timbers,  and 
occasionally  the  discharge  of  the  musket,  or  the  twanging 
of  the  bow,  was  heard. 

* '  Stand  to  the  timbers,  my  men  !  ' '  said  the  deep  tones 
of  the  stranger,  who  spoke  in  the  midst  of  the  fierce  strug- 
gle with  that  commanding  and  stirring  cheerfulness  that 
familiarity  with  danger  can  alone  inspire.  "  Stand  to  the 
defences,  and  they  are  impassable.  Ha  !  'twas  well  meant, 
friend  savage,"  he  muttered  between  his  teeth,  as  he  par- 
ried, at  some  jeopardy  to  one  hand,  a  thrust  aimed  at  his 
throat,  while  with  the  other  he  seized  the  warrior  who  had 
inflicted  the  blow,  and  drawing  his  naked  breast,  with  the 
power  of  a  giant,  full  against  the  opening  between  the  tim- 
bers, he  buried  his  own  keen  blade  to  its  haft  in  the  body. 
The  eyes  of  the  victim  rolled  wildly,  and  when  the  iron 
hand  which  bound  him  to  the  wood  with  the  power  of  a 
vice  loosened  its  grasp,  he  fell  motionless  on  the  earth. 
This  death  was  succeeded  by  .the  usual  yell  of  disappoint' 


162          ZTbe  Wept  of 


ment,  and  the  assailants  disappeared  as  swiftly  as  they  had 
approached. 

"God  be  praised  that  we  have  to  rejoice  in  this  advan- 
tage !  '  '  said  Content,  enumerating  the  individuals  of  his 
force,  wi^h  an  anxious  eye,  when  all  were  again  assembled 
at  the  stand  on  the  hill,  where,  favored  by  the  glaring  light, 
they  could  overlook  in  comparative  security  the  more  ex- 
posed parts  of  their  defences.  "  We  count  our  own,  though 
I  fear  me  many  may  have  suffered." 

The  silence  and  the  occupations  of  his  listeners,  most  of 
whom  were  stanching  their  blood,  was  a  sufficient  an- 
swer. 

"  Hist,  father  !  "  said  the  quick-  eyed  and  observant  Mark  ; 
'  '  one  remaineth  on  the  palisado  nearest  the  wicket.  Is  it  a 
savage  ?  or  do  I  see  a  stump  in  the  field  beyond  ?  '  ' 

All  eyes  followed  the  direction  of  the  hand  of  the 
speaker,  and  there  was  seen,  of  a  certainty,  something 
clinging  to  the  inner  side  of  one  of  the  timbers,  that  bore 
a  marked  resemblance  to  the  human  form.  The  part  of  the 
stockades  where  the  seeming  figure  clung  lay  more  in  ob- 
scurity than  the  rest  of  the  defences,  and  doubts  as  to  its 
character  were  not  alone  confined  to  the  quick-sighted  lad 
who  had  first  detected  its  presence. 

"  Who  hangs  upon  our  palisadoes  ?  "  called  Eben  Dudley. 
"  Speak,  that  we  do  not  harm  a  friend  !  " 

The  wood  itself  was  not  more  immovable  than  the  dark 
object,  until  the  report  of  the  borderer's  musket  was  heard, 
and  then  it  came  tumbling  to  the  earth  like  an  insensible 
mass. 

'  *  Fallen  like  a  stricken  bear  from  his  tree  !  Life  was  in 
it,  or  no  bullet  of  mine  could  have  loosened  the  hold  !  '  ' 
exclaimed  Dudley,  a  little  in  exultation,  as  he  saw  the  suc- 
cess of  his  aim. 

'  *  I  will  go  forward,  and  see  that  he  is  past  —  '  ' 

The  mouth  of  young  Mark  was  stopped  by  the  hand  of 
the  stranger,  who  calmly  observed,  — 

"  I  will  look  into  the  fate  of  the  heathen,  myself."  He 
was  about  to  proceed  to  the  spot,  when  the  supposed  dead 
or  wounded  man  sprang  to  his  feet,  with  a  yell  that  rang  in 


Ufoe  Mept  of  Wub^ZToiVQfltteb          163 

echoes  along  the  margin  of  the  forest,  and  bounded  towards 
the  cover  of  the  buildings  with  high  and  active  leaps.  Two 
or  three  muskets  sent  their  streaks  of  flame  across  his  path, 
but  seemingly  without  success.  Jumping  in  a  manner  to 
elude  the  certainty  of  their  fire,  the  unharmed  savage  gave 
forth  another  yell  of  triumph,  and  disappeared  among  the 
angles  of  the  dwellings.  His  cries  were  understood,  for 
answering  whoops  were  heard  in  the  fields,  and  the  foe 
without  again  rallied  to  the  attack. 

'  *  This  may  not  be  neglected, ' '  said  he  who,  more  by 
his  self-possession  and  air  of  authority,  than  by  any  known 
right  to  command,  had  insensibly  assumed  so  much  control 
in  the  important  business  of  that  night.  "One  like  this, 
within  our  walls,  may  quickly  bring  destruction  on  the  gar- 
rison. The  postern  may  be  opened  to  an  inroad " 

"A  triple  lock  secures  it,"  interrupted  Content.  "The 
key  is  hid  where  none  know  to  seek  it,  other  than  such  as 
are  of  our  household." 

' '  And  happily  the  means  of  passing  the  private  wicket 
are  in  my  possession,"  muttered  the  other  in  an  under-tone. 
"  So  far,  well ;  but  the  brand  !  the  brand  !  the  maidens  must 
look  to  the  fires  and  lights,  while  the  youths  make  good  the 
stockade,  since  this  assault  admitteth  not  of  further  delay." 

So  saying,  the  stranger  gave  an  example  of  courage  by 
proceeding  to  his  stand  at  the  pickets,  where,  supported  by 
his  companions,  he  continued  to  defend  the  approaches 
against  a  discharge  of  arrows  and  bullets  that  was  more 
distant,  but  scarcely  less  dangerous  to  the  safety  of  those 
who  showed  themselves  on  the  side  of  the  acclivity,  than 
those  which  had  been  previously  showered  upon  the  gar- 
rison. 

In  the  meantime  Ruth  summoned  her  assistants,  and 
hastened  to  discharge  the  duty  which  had  just  been  pre- 
scribed. Water  was  cast  freely  on  all  the  fires,  and,  as  the 
still  raging  conflagration  continued  to  give  far  more  light 
than  was  either  necessary  or  safe,  care  was  taken  to  extin- 
guish any  torch  or  candle  that,  in  the  hurry  of  alarm, 
might  have  been  left  to  moulder  in  its  socket,  throughout 
the  extensive  range  of  the  dwellings  and  the  offices. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

"  Thou  mild,  sad  mother — 

Quit  him  not  so  soon ! 
Mother,  in  mercy,  stay ! 

Despair  and  death  are  with  him  ;  and  canst  thou, 
With  that  kind,  earthward  look,  go  leave  him  now  ?  " 

DANA. 

WHEN  these  precautions  were  taken,  the  females 
returned  to  their  several  lookouts,  and  Ruth, 
whose  duty  it  was  in  moments  of  danger  to 
exercise  a  general  superintendence,  was  left 
to  her  meditations  and  to  such  watchfulness  as  her  fears 
might    excite.     Quitting  the  inner  rooms,  she  approached 
the  door  that  communicated  with  the  court,  and  for  a  mo- 
ment lost  the  recollection  of  her  immediate  cares  in  a  view 
of  the  imposing  scene  by  which  she  was  surrounded. 

By  this  time,  the  whole  of  the  vast  range  of  out-buildings, 
which  had  been  constructed — as  was  usual  in  the  colonies — 
of  the  most  combustible  materials  and  with  no  regard  to  the 
expenditure  of  wood,  was  wrapped  in  fire.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  position  of  the  intermediate  edifices,  broad  flashes 
of  light  were  constantly  crossing  the  court  itself,  on  whose 
surface  she  was  able  to  distinguish  the  smallest  object, 
while  the  heavens  above  her  were  glaring  with  a  lurid  red. 
Through  the  openings  between  the  buildings  of  the  quad- 
rangle, the  eye  could  look  out  upon  the  fields,  where  she 
saw  every  evidence  of  a  sullen  intention  on  the  part  of  the 
savages  to  persevere  in  their  object.  Dark,  fierce-looking, 
and  nearly  naked  human  forms  were  seen  flitting  from  cover 
to  cover,  while  there  was  no  stump  nor  log  within  arrow' s- 
flight  of  the  defences,  that  did  not  protect  the  person  of  a 


Ube  TOept  of  Wteb^orWlKflteb          165 

daring  and  indefatigable  enemy.  It  was  plain  the  Indians 
were  there  in  hundreds,  and  as  the  assaults  continued  after 
the  failure  of  a  surprise,  it  was  too  evident  that  they  were  bent 
on  victory,  at  some  hazard  to  themselves.  No  usual  means 
of  adding  to  the  horror  of  the  scene  were  neglected.  Whoops 
and  yells  were  incessantly  ringing  around  the  place,  while 
the  loud  and  often-repeated  tones  of  a  conch  betrayed  the 
artifice  by  which  the  savages  had  so  often  endeavored,  in 
the  earlier  part  of  the  night,  to  lure  the  garrison  out  of 
the  palisadoes.  A  few  scattering  shot,  discharged  with  delib- 
eration and  from  every  exposed  point  within  the  works,  pro- 
claimed both  the  coolness  and  the  vigilance  of  the  defen- 
dants. The  little  gun  in  the  block-house  was  silent ;  for  the 
Puritan  knew  too  well  its  real  power  to  lessen  its  reputation 
by  a  too  frequent  use.  The  weapon  was  therefore  reserved 
for  those  moments  of  pressing  danger  that  would  be  sure  to 
arrive. 

On  this  spectacle  Ruth  gazed  in  fearful  sadness.  The 
long-sustained  and  sylvan  security  of  her  abode  was  vio- 
lently destroyed,  and  in  the  place  of  a  quiet  which  had  ap- 
proached as  near  as  may  be  on  earth  to  that  holy  peace  for 
which  her  spirit  strove,  she  and  all  she  most  loved  were 
suddenly  confronted  to  the ,  most  frightful  exhibition  of 
human  horrors.  In  such  a  moment,  the  feelings  of  a  mother 
were  likely  to  revive  ;  and  ere  time  was  given  for  reflection, 
aided  by  the  light  of  the  conflagration,  the  matron  was 
moving  swiftly  through  the  intricate  passages  of  the  dwell- 
ing, in  quest  of  those  whom  she  had  placed  in  the  security 
of  the  chambers. 

' '  Thou  hast  remembered  to  avoid  looking  on  the  fields, 
my  children?"  said  the  nearly  breathless  woman  as  she 
entered  the  room.  ' '  Be  thankful,  babes  ;  hitherto  the  efforts 
of  the  savages  have  been  vain,  and  we  still  remain  masters 
of  our  habitations." 

'  *  Why  is  the  night  so  red  ?  Come  hither,  mother ;  thou 
mayst  look  into  the  wood  as  if  the  sun  were  shining  ! ' ' 

' ' The  heathens  have  fired  our  granaries,  and  what  thou 
seest  is  the  light  of  the  flames.  But  happily  they  cannot  put 
brand  into  the  dwellings,  while  thy  father  and  the  young 


166          tTbe  Wept  oi 


men  stand  to  their  weapons.  We  must  be  grateful  for  this 
security,  frail  as  it  seemeth.  Thou  hast  knelt,  my  Ruth, 
and  hast  remembered  to  think  of  thy  father  and  brother  in 
thy  prayers  ?  '  ' 

"  I  will  do  so  again,  mother,"  whispered  the  child,  bend- 
ing to  her  knees,  and  wrapping  her  young  features  in  the 
garments  of  the  matron. 

'  '  Why  hide  thy  countenance  ?  One  young  and  innocent 
as  thou  may  lift  thine  eyes  to  Heaven  with  confidence." 

"  Mother,  I  see  the  Indian  unless  my  face  be  hid.  He 
looketh  at  me,  I  fear,  with  wish  to  do  us  harm." 

"Thou  art  not  just  to  Miantonimoh,  child,"  answered 
Ruth,  as  she  glanced  her  eye  rapidly  round  to  seek  the  boy, 
who  had  modestly  withdrawn  into  a  remote  and  shaded  corner 
of  the  room.  "  I  left  him  with  thee  for  a  guardian,  and  not 
as  one  who  would  wish  to  injure.  Now  think  of  thy  God, 
child,"  imprinting  a  kiss  on  the  cold,  marble-like  forehead 
of  her  daughter,  '  '  and  have  reliance  in  his  goodness.  Mian- 
tonimoh, I  again  leave  you  with  a  charge  to  be  their 
protector,"  she  added,  quitting  her  daughter  and  advancing 
towards  the  youth. 

"  Mother  !  "  shrieked  the  child,  "  come  to  me,  or  I  die  !  " 

Ruth  turned  from  the  listening  captive  with  the  quickness 
of  instinct.  A  glance  showed  her  the  jeopardy  of  her  off- 
spring. A  naked  savage,  dark,  powerful  of  frame,  and  fierce 
in  the  frightful  masquerade  of  his  war-paint,  stood  winding 
the  silken  hair  of  the  girl  in  one  hand,  while  he  already  held 
the  glittering  axe  above  a  head  that  seemed  inevitably 
devoted  to  destruction. 

"  Mercy  !  mercy  !  "  exclaimed  Ruth,  hoarse  with  horror, 
and  dropping  to  her  knees,  as  much  from  inability  to  stand 
as  with  intent  to  petition.  "  Monster,  strike  me  ;  but  spare 
the  child!" 

The  eyes  of  the  Indian  rolled  over  the  person  of  the 
speaker,  but  it  was  with  an  expression  that  seemed  rather 
to  enumerate  the  number  of  his  victims  than  to  announce 
any  change  of  purpose.  With  a  fiend-like  coolness  that 
bespoke  much  knowledge  of  the  ruthless  practice,  he  again 
swung  the  quivering  but  speechless  child  in  the  air,  and 


Mept  of  Wfsb^UotWlKIiteb  167 

prepared  to  direct  the  weapon  with  a  fell  certainty  of  aim. 
The  tomahawk  had  made  its  last  circuit,  and  an  instant 
would  have  decided  the  fate  of  the  victim,  when  the  captive 
boy  stood  in  front  of  the  frightful  actor  in  this  revolting 
scene.  By  a  quick  forward  movement  of  his  arm,  the  blow 
was  arrested.  The  deep  guttural  ejaculation  which  betrays 
the  surprise  of  an  Indian  broke  from  the  chest  of  the  savage, 
while  his  hand  fell  to  his  side,  and  the  form  of  the  suspended 
girl  was  suffered  again  to  touch  the  floor.  The  look  and 
gesture  with  which  the  boy  had  interfered,  expressed  authority 
rather  than  resentment  or  horror.  His  air  was  calm ,  collected , 
and,  as  it  appeared  by  the  effect,  imposing. 

"  Go,"  he  said  in  the  language  of  the  fierce  people  from 
whom  he  had  sprung  ;  "the  warriors  of  the  pale-men  are 
calling  thee  by  name." 

"  The  snow  is  red  with  the  blood  of  our  young  men," 
the  other  fiercely  answered  ;  ' '  and  not  a  scalp  is  at  the  belt 
of  my  people. ' ' 

"These  are  mine,"  returned  the  boy  with  dignity,  sweep- 
ing his  arm  while  speaking,  in  a  manner  to  show  that  he 
extended  protection  to  all  present. 

The  warrior  gazed  about  him  grimly,  and  like  one  but 
half-convinced.  He  had  incurred  a  danger  too  fearful  in 
entering  the  stockade,  to  be  easily  diverted  from  his  purpose. 

"Listen!  "he  continued,  after  a  short  pause,  during 
which  the  artillery  of  the  Puritan  had  again  bellowed  in 
the  uproar  without.  "  The  thunder  is  with  the  Yengeese  ! 
Our  young  women  will  look  another  way,  and  call  us 
Pequots,  should  there  be  no  scalps  on  our  pole. ' ' 

For  a  single  moment  the  countenance  of  the  boy  changed, 
and  his  resolution  seemed  to  waver.  The  other,  who  watched 
his  eyes  with  longing  eagerness,  again  seized  his  victim  by 
the  hair,  when  Ruth  shrieked  in  the  accents  of  despair, — 

"  Boy  !  boy  !  if  them  art  not  with  us  God,  hath  deserted 
us!" 

"She  is  mine,"  burst  fiercely  from  the  lips  of  the  lad. 
* '  Hear  my  words,  Wompahwisset :  the  blood  of  my  father 
is  very  warm  within  me." 

The  other  paused  and  the  blow  was  once  more  suspended. 


1 68          Ube  Wept  ot 


The  glaring  eye-balls  of  the  savage  rested  intently  on  the 
swelling  form  and  stern  countenance  of  the  young  hero, 
whose  uplifted  hand  appeared  to  menace  instant  punishment, 
should  he  dare  to  disregard  the  mediation.  The  lips  of  the 
warrior  severed,  and  the  word  "  Miantonimoh  "  was  uttered 
as  softly  as  if  it  recalled  a  feeling  of  sorrow.  Then,  as  a 
burst  of  yells  rose  above  the  roar  of  the  conflagration,  the 
fierce  Indian  turned  in  his  tracks,  and  abandoning  the 
trembling  and  nearly  insensible  child,  he  bounded  away  like 
a  hound  loosened  on  a  fresh  scent  of  blood. 

"  Boy  !  boy  !"  murmured  the  mother  ;  ''heathen  or  Chris- 
tian, there  is  one  that  will  bless  thee — ' ' 

A  rapid  gesture  of  the  hand  interrupted  the  fervent  ex- 
pression of  her  gratitude.  Pointing  after  the  form  of  the 
retreating  savage,  the  lad  encircled  his  own  head  with  a 
finger,  in  a  manner  that  could  not  be  mistaken,  as  he  uttered 
steadily,  but  with  the  deep  emphasis  of  an  Indian, — 

' '  The  young  pale-face  has  a  scalp  ! ' ' 

Ruth  heard  no  more.  With  instinctive  rapidity,  every 
feeling  of  her  soul  quickened  nearly  to  agony,  she  rushed 
below,  in  order  to  warn  Mark  against  the  machinations  of  so 
fearful  an  enemy.  Her  step  was  heard  but  for  a  moment  in 
the  vacant  chambers,  and  then  the  Indian  boy,  whose  stead- 
iness and  authority  had  just  been  so  signally  exerted  in 
favor  of  the  children,  resumed  his  attitude  of  meditation  as 
quietly  as  if  he  took  no  further  interest  in  the  frightful  events 
of  the  night. 

The  situation  of  the  garrison  was  now,  indeed,  to  the  last 
degree  critical.  A  torrent  of  fire  had  passed  from  the  further 
extremity  of  the  out-houses  to  that  which  stood  nearest  to 
the  defences  ;  and  as  building  after  building  melted  beneath 
its  raging  power,  the  palisadoes  became  heated  nearly  to  the 
point  of  ignition.  The  alarm  created  by  this  imminent 
danger  had  already  been  given,  and  when  Ruth  issued  into 
the  court  a  female  was  rushing  past  her  seemingly  on  some 
errand  of  the  last  necessity. 

' '  Hast  seen  him  ?  ' '  demanded  the  breathless  mother, 
arresting  the  steps  of  the  quick-moving  girl. 

' '  Not  since  the  savage  made  his  last  onset ;  but  I  war- 


Mept  of  Misb^on^Wisb  169 

rant  me  he  may  be  found  near  the  western  loop,  making 
good  the  works  against  the  enemy  !  ' ' 

' '  Surely  he  is  not  foremost  in  the  fray  !  Of  whom 
speakest  thou,  Faith  ?  I  questioned  thee  of  Mark.  There 
is  one,  even  now,  raging  within  the  pickets,  seeking  a 
victim." 

' '  Truly,  I  thought  it  had  been  question  of — the  boy  is 
with  his  father  and  the  stranger  soldier,  who  does  such  deeds 
of  valor  in  our  behalf.  I  have  seen  no  enemy  within  the 
palisadoes,  Madam  Heathcote,  since  the  entry  of  the  man 
who  escaped,  by  favor  of  the  powers  of  darkness,  from  the 
shot  of  Eben  Dudley's  musket." 

"  And  is  this  evil  like  to  pass  from  us,"  resumed  Ruth, 
breathing  more  freely,  as  she  learned  the  safety  of  her  son, 
' '  or  does  Providence  veil  its  face  in  anger  ?  ' ' 

"  We  keep  our  own,  though  the  savage  hath  pressed  the 
young  men  to  extremity.  Oh  !  it  gladdened  heart  to  see 
how  brave  a  guard  Reuben  Ring  and  others  near  him  made 
in  our  behalf.  I  do  think  me,  Madam  Heathcote,  that  after 
all  there  is  real  manhood  in  the  brawler  Dudley  !  Truly, 
the  youth  hath  done  marvels  in  the  way  of  exposure  and 
resistance.  Twenty  times  this  night  have  I  expected  to  see 
him  slain." 

"And  he  that  lieth  there?"  half- whispered  the  alarmed 
Ruth,  pointing  to  a  spot  near  them,  where,  aside  from  the 
movements  of  those  who  still  acted  in  the  bustle  of  the 
combat,  one  lay  stretched  on  the  earth — "  who  hath  fallen  ?  " 

The  cheek  of  Faith  blanched  to  a  whiteness  that  nearly 
equalled  that  of  the  linen,  which,  even  in  the  hurry  of  such 
a  scene,  some  friendly  hand  had  found  leisure  to  throw  in 
decent  sadness  over  the  form. 

"That!"  said  the  faltering  girl ;  "though  hurt  and 
bleeding,  my  brother  Reuben  surely  keepeth  the  loop  at 
the  western  angle ;  nor  is  Whittal  wanting  in  sufficient 
sense  to  take  heed  of  danger.  This  may  not  be  the  stran- 
ger, for  under  the  covers  of  the  postern  breast-work  he 
holdeth  counsel  with  the  young  captain." 

"Art  certain,  girl?" 

"I  saw  them  both  within  the  minute.     Would  to  God 


170          Ube  TKHept  of  Misb^otWIKIlisb 

we  could  hear  the  shcut  of  noisy  Dudley,  Madam  Heath- 
cote  ;  his  cry  cheereth  the  heart,  in  a  moment  awful  as 
this  !  " 

"  14ft  the  cloth,"  said  Ruth,  with  calm  solemnity,  "  that 
we  may  know  which  of  our  friends  hath  been  called  to  the 
great  account." 

Faith  hesitated  ;  and  when  by  a  powerful  effort,  in 
which  secret  interest  had  as  deep  an  influence  as  obedience, 
she  did  comply,  it  was  with  a  sort  of  desperate  resolution. 
On  raising  the  linen,  the  eyes  of  the  two  women  rested  on 
the  pallid  countenance  of  one  who  had  been  transfixed  by 
an  iron-headed  arrow.  The  girl  dropped  the  linen,  and  in 
a  voice  that  sounded  like  a  burst  of  hysterical  feeling,  she 
exclaimed, — 

"  'T  is  but  the  youth  that  came  lately  among  us  !  We 
are  spared  the  loss  of  any  ancient  friend." 

' '  'T  is  one  who  died  for  our  safety.  I  would  give  largely 
of  this  world's  comforts,  that  this  calamity  might  not  have 
been,  or  that  greater  leisure  for  the  last  fearful  reckoning 
had  been  accorded.  But  we  may  not  lose  the  moments  in 
mourning.  Hie  thee,  girl,  and  sound  the  alarm  that  a  sav- 
age lurketh  within  our  walls,  and  that  he  skulketh  in  quest 
of  a  secret  blow.  Bid  all  be  wary.  If  the  young  Mark 
should  cross  thy  path,  speak  to  him  twice  of  this  danger  ; 
the  child  hath  a  froward  spirit,  and  may  not  hearken  to 
words  uttered  in  too  great  hurry." 

With  this  charge  Ruth  quitted  her  maiden.  While  the 
latter  proceeded  to  give  the  necessary  notice,  the  other 
sought  the  spot  where  she  had  just  learned  there  was  reason 
to  believe  her  husband  might  be  found. 

Content  and  the  stranger  were  in  fact  met  in  consultation 
over  the  danger  which  threatened  destruction  to  their  most 
important  means  of  defence.  The  savages  themselves 
appeared  to  be  conscious  that  the  flames  were  working  in 
their  favor  ;  for  their  efforts  sensibly  slackened,  and  having 
already  severely  suffered  in  their  attempts  to  annoy  the 
garrison,  they  had  fallen  back  to  their  covers,  and  awaited 
the  moment  when  their  practised  cunning  should  tell  them 
they  might,  with  more  flattering  promises  of  success,  again 


Ube  Wept  of  Misb^on^lKIlisb  171 


rally  to  the  onset.  A  brief  explanation  served  to  make  Ruth 
acquainted  with  the  imminent  jeopardy  of  their  situation. 
Under  the  sense  of  a  more  appalling  danger  she  lost  the  rec- 
ollection of  her  former  purpose,  and  with  a  contracted  and 
sorrowing  eye  she  stood  like  her  companions,  in  impotent 
helplessness,  an  entranced  spectator  of  the  progess  of  the 
destruction. 

* '  A  soldier  should  not  waste  words  in  useless  plaints, ' ' 
observed  the  stranger,  folding  his  arms  like  one  who  was 
conscious  that  human  efforts  could  do  no  more,  ' '  else  should 
I  say,  'tis  pity  that  he  who  drew  yon  line  of  stockade  hath 
not  remembered  the  uses  of  the  ditch." 

11 1  will  summon  the  maidens  to  the  wells,"  said  Ruth. 

"'T  will  not  avail  us.  The  arrow  would  be  among  them, 
nor  could  mortal  long  endure  the  heat  of  yon  glowing 
furnace.  Thou  seest  that  the  timbers  already  smoke  and 
blacken  under  its  fierceness." 

The  stranger  was  still  speaking,  when  a  small,  quivering 
flame  played  on  the  corners  of  the  palisado  nearest  the 
burning  pile.  The  element  fluttered  like  a  waving  line 
along  the  edges  of  the  heated  wood,  after  which  it  spread 
over  the  whole  surface  of  the  timber,  from  its  larger  base  to 
the  pointed  summit.  As  if  this  had  merely  been  the  signal 
of  a  general  destruction,  the  flames  kindled  in  fifty  places 
at  the  same  instant,  and  then  the  whole  line  of  the  stockade, 
nearest  the  conflagration,  was  covered  with  fire.  A  yell  of 
triumph  arose  in  the  field,  and  a  flight  of  arrows,  sailing 
tauntingly  into  the  works,  announced  the  fierce  impatience 
of  those  who  watched  the  increase  of  the  conflagration. 

' '  We  shall  be  driven  to  our  block, ' '  said  Content.  ' '  As- 
semble thy  maidens,  Ruth,  and  make  speedy  preparation  for 
the  last  retreat." 

"  I  go  ;  but  hazard  not  thy  life  in  any  vain  endeavor  to 
retard  the  flames.  There  will  yet  be  time  for  all  that  is 
needful  to  our  security." 

"I  know  not,"  hurriedly  observed  the  stranger.  ''Here 
cometh  the  assault  in  a  new  aspect ! '  * 

The  feet  of  Ruth  were  arrested.  On  looking  upwards  she 
saw  the  object  which  had  drawji  this  remark  from  the  last 


172          Ube  Mept  of 


speaker.  A  small  bright  ball  of  fire  had  arisen  out  of  the 
fields,  and,  describing  an  arc  in  the  air,  it  sailed  above  their 
heads  and  fell  on  the  shingles  of  a  building  which  formed 
part  of  the  quadrangle  of  the  inner  court.  The  movement 
was  that  of  an  arrow  thrown  from  a  distant  bow,  and  its  way 
was  to  be  traced  by  a  long  trail  of  light,  that  followed  its 
course  like  a  blazing  meteor.  This  burning  arrow  had  been 
sent  with  a  cool  and  practised  judgment.  It  lighted  upon  a 
portion  of  the  combustibles  that  was  nearly  as  inflammable 
as  gunpowder,  and  the  eye  had  scarcely  succeeded  in  tra- 
cing it  to  its  fall,  ere  the  bright  flames  were  seen  stealing 
over  the  heated  roof. 

*  '  One  struggle  for  our  habitations  !  '  '  cried  Content  —  but 
the  hand  of  the  stranger  was  placed  firmly  on  his  shoulder. 
At  that  instant  a  dozen  similar  meteor-looking  balls  shot 
into  the  air,  and  fell  in  as  many  different  places  on  the 
already  half-kindled  pile.  Further  efforts  would  have  been 
useless.  Relinquishing  the  hope  of  saving  his  property, 
every  thought  was  now  given  to  personal  safety. 

Ruth  recovered  from  her  short  trance,  and  hastened  with 
hurried  steps  to  perform  her  well-known  office.  Then  came 
a  few  minutes  of  exertion,  during  which  the  females  trans- 
ferred all  that  was  necessary  to  their  subsistence,  and  which 
had  not  been  already  provided  in  the  block,  to  their  citadel. 
The  glowing  light,  which  penetrated  the  darkest  passages 
among  the  buildings,  prevented  this  movement  from  being 
made  without  discovery.  The  whoop  summoned  their  ene- 
mies to  another  attack.  The  arrows  thickened  in  the  air, 
and  the  important  duty  was  not  performed  without  risk,  as 
all  were  obliged,  in  some  degree,  to  expose  their  persons, 
while  passing  to  and  fro,  loaded  with  necessaries.  The 
gathering  smoke,  however,  served  in  some  measure  for  a 
screen  ;  and  it  was  not  long  before  Content  received  the  wel- 
come tidings  that  he  might  command  the  retreat  of  his  young 
men  from  the  palisadoes.  The  conch  sounded  the  necessary 
signal,  and  ere  the  foe  had  time  to  understand  its  meaning, 
or  profit  by  the  defenceless  state  of  the  works,  every  individ- 
ual within  them  had  reached  the  door  of  the  block  in  safety. 
Still,  there  was  more  of  hurry  and  confusion  than  altogether 


Ube  Kftept  of  Mtsb^on^TKHtsb  173 

comported  with  their  safety.  They  who  were  assigned  to 
that  duty,  however,  mounted  eagerly  to  the  loops,  and  stood 
in  readiness  to  pour  out  their  fire  on  whoever  might  dare  to 
come  within  its  reach,  while  a  few  still  lingered  in  the  court, 
to  see  that  no  necessary  provision  for  resistance,  or  of  safety, 
was  forgotten.  Ruth  had  been  foremost  in  exertion,  and  she 
now  stood  pressing  her  hands  to  her  temples,  like  one  whose 
mind  was  bewildered  by  her  own  efforts. 

"Our  fallen  friend!"  she  said.  "Shall  we  leave  his 
remains  to  be  mangled  by  the  savage  ?  ' ' 

"  Surely  not ;  Dudley,  thy  hand.  We  will  bear  the  body 
within  the  lower — ha  !  death  hath  struck  another  of  our 
family." 

The  alarm  with  which  Content  made  this  discovery  passed 
quickly  to  all  in  hearing.  It  was  but  too  apparent,  by  the 
shape  of  the  linen,  that  two  bodies  lay  beneath  its  folds. 
Anxious  and  rapid  looks  were  cast  from  face  to  face,  in  order 
to  learn  who  was  missing  ;  and  then,  conscious  of  the  haz- 
ard of  further  delay,  Content  raised  the  linen,  in  order  to 
remove  all  doubts  of  certainty.  The  form  of  the  young 
borderer,  who  was  known  to  have  fallen,  was  first  slowly 
and  reverently  uncovered  ;  but  even  the  most  self-restrained 
among  the  spectators  started  back  in  horror,  as  his  robbed 
and  reeking  head  showed  that  a  savage  hand  had  worked  its 
ruthless  will  on  the  unresisting  corpse. 

"  The  other  !  "  Ruth  struggled  to  say,  and  it  was  only  as 
her  husband  had  half  removed  the  linen  that  she  could 
succeed  in  uttering  the  words,  ' '  Beware  the  other  ! ' ' 

The  warning  was  not  useless,  for  the  linen  waved  vio- 
lently as  it  rose  under  the  hand  of  Content,  and  a  grim 
Indian  sprang  into  the  very  centre  of  the  startled  group. 
Sweeping  his  armed  hand  wildly  about  him,  the  savage 
broke  through  the  receding  circle,  and  giving  forth  the  ap- 
palling whoop  of  his  tribe,  he  bounded  into  the  open  door 
of  the  principal  dwelling,  so  swiftly  as  utterly  to  defeat  any 
design  of  pursuit.  The  arms  of  Ruth  were  frantically  ex- 
tended towards  the  place  where  he  had  disappeared,  and  she 
was  about  to  rush  madly  on  his  footsteps,  when  the  hand  of 
her  husband  stopped  the  movement. 


174          tTbe  Mept  of 


"  Wouldst  hazard  life  to  save  some  worthless  trifle  ?  " 

"  Husband,  release  me  !  "  returned  the  woman,  nearly 
choked  with  her  agony  ;  '  '  nature  hath  slept  within  me.  '  ' 

"  Fear  blindeth  thy  reason  !  " 

The  form  of  Ruth  ceased  to  struggle.  All  the  madness 
which  had  been  glaring  wildly  about  her  eyes  disappeared 
in  the  settled  look  of  an  almost  preternatural  calm.  Col- 
lecting the  whole  of  her  mental  energy  in  one  desperate  effort 
of  self-command,  she  turned  to  her  husband,  and,  as  her 
bosom  swelled  with  the  terror  that  seemed  to  stop  her 
breath,  she  said  in  a  voice  that  was  frightful  by  its  com- 
posure, — 

"If  thou  hast  a  father's  heart,  release  me.  Our  babes 
have  been  forgotten  !  '  ' 

The  hand  of  Content  relaxed  its  hold,  and,  in  another  in- 
stant, the  form  of  his  wife  was  lost  to  view  on  the  track  that 
had  just  been  taken  by  the  successful  savage.  This  was  the 
luckless  moment  chosen  by  the  foe  to  push  his  advantage. 
A  fierce  burst  of  yells  proclaimed  the  activity  of  the  assail- 
ants, and  a  general  discharge  from  the  loops  of  the  block- 
house sufficiently  apprised  those  in  the  court  that  the  onset 
of  the  enemy  was  now  pushed  into  the  very  heart  of  the 
defences.  All  had  mounted,  but  the  few  who  lingered  to 
discharge  the  melancholy  duty  to  the  dead.  They  were  too 
few  to  render  resistance  prudent,  and  yet  too  many  to  think 
of  deserting  the  distracted  mother  and  her  offspring  without 
an  effort. 

"  Enter,"  said  Content,  pointing  to  the  door  of  the  block. 
"  It  is  my  duty  to  share  the  fate  of  those  nearest  my  blood." 

The  stranger  made  no  answer.  Placing  his  powerful 
hands  on  the  nearly  stupefied  husband,  he  thrust  his  person, 
by  an  irresistible  effort,  within  the  basement  of  the  building, 
and  then  he  signed,  by  a  quick  gesture,  for  all  around  him 
to  follow.  After  the  last  form  had  entered,  he  commanded 
that  the  fastenings  of  the  door  should  be  secured,  remaining 
himself,  as  he  believed,  alone  without.  But  when  by  a 
rapid  glance  he  saw  there  was  another  gazing  in  dull  awe  on 
the'  features  of  the  fallen  man,  it  was  too  late  to  rectify  the 
mistake.  Yells  were  now  rising  out  the  black  smoke  that 


Ube  TKftept  ot  Misb^ZTon^Mteb          175 

was  rolling  in  volumes  from  the  heated  buildings,  and  it 
was  plain  that  only  a  few  feet  divided  them  from  their  pur- 
suers. Beckoning  the  man  who  had  been  excluded  from  the 
block  to  follow,  the  stern  soldier  rushed  into  the  principal 
dwelling,  which  was  still  but  little  injured  by  the  fire. 
Guided  rather  by  chance  than  by  any  knowledge  of  the 
windings  of  the  building,  he  soon  found  himself  in  the  cham- 
bers. He  was  now  at  a  loss  whither  to  proceed.  At  that 
moment,  his  companion,  who  was  no  other  than  Whittal 
Ring,  took  the  lead,  and  in  another  instant  they  were  at  the 
door  of  the  secret  apartment. 

* '  Hist ! ' '  said  the  stranger,  raising  a  hand  to  command 
silence  as  he  entered  the  room.  "  Our  hope  is  in  secrecy." 

' '  And  how  may  we  escape  without  detection  ?  ' '  demanded 
the  mother,  pointing  about  her  at  objects  illuminated  by  a 
light  so  powerful  as  to  penetrate  every  cranny  of  the  ill- 
constructed  building.  ' '  The  noonday  sun  is  scarce  brighter 
than  this  dreadful  fire  !  " 

* '  God  is  in  the  elements  !  His  guiding  hand  shall  point 
the  way.  But  here  we  may  not  tarry,  for  the  flames  are 
already  on  the  shingles.  Follow,  and  speak  not." 

Ruth  pressed  the  children  to  her  side,  and  the  whole 
party  left  the  apartment  of  the  attic  in  a  body.  Their 
descent  to  a  lower  room  was  made  quickly,  and  without 
discovery.  But  here  their  leader  paused,  for  the  state  of 
things  without  was  one  to  demand  the  utmost  steadiness  of 
nerve,  and  great  reflection. 

The  Indians  had  by  this  time  gained  command  of  the 
whole  of  Mark  Heathcote's  possessions,  with  the  exception 
of  the  block-house  ;  and  as  their  first  act  had  been  to  apply 
the  brand  wherever  it  might  be  wanting,  the  roar  of  the 
conflagration  was  now  heard  in  every  direction.  The  dis- 
charge of  muskets  and  the  whoops  of  the  combatants,  how- 
ever, while  they  added  to  the  horrible  din  of  such  a  scene, 
proclaimed  the  unconquered  resolution  of  those  who  held 
the  citadel.  A  window  of  the  room  they  occupied  enabled 
the  stranger  to  take  a  cautious  survey  of  what  was  passing, 
without.  The  court,  lighted  to  the  brilliancy  of  day,  was 
empty ;  for  the  increasing  heat*  of  the  fires,  no  less  than  the 


176          Ube  Wept  of 


discharges  from  the  loops,  still  kept  the  cautious  savages  to 
their  covers.  There  was  barely  hope,  that  the  space  be- 
tween the  dwelling  and  the  block-house  might  yet  be  passed 
in  safety. 

11  1  would  I  had  asked  that  the  door  of  the  block  should 
be  held  in  hand,"  muttered  Submission  ;  "it  would  be  death 
to  linger  an  instant  in  that  fierce  light  ;  nor  have  we  any 
manner  of  —  " 

A  touch  was  laid  upon  his  arm,  and  turning,  the  speaker 
saw  the  dark  eye  of  the  captive  boy  looking  steadily  in  his 
face. 

"  Wilt  do  it  ?  "  demanded  the  other,  in  a  manner  to  show 
that  he  doubted,  while  he  hoped. 

A  speaking  gesture  of  assent  was  the  answer,  and  then 
the  form  of  the  lad  was  seen  gliding  quietly  from  the  room. 

Another  instant,  and  Miantonimoh  appeared  in  the  court. 
He  walked  with  the  deliberation  that  one  would  have  shown 
in  moments  of  the  most  entire  security.  A  hand  was  raised 
towards  the  loops,  as  if  to  betoken  amity,  and  then  dropping 
the  limb,  he  moved  with  the  same  slow  step  into  the  very 
centre  of  the  area.  Here  the  boy  stood  in  the  fullest  glare 
of  the  conflagration,  and  turned  his  face  deliberately  on 
every  side  of  him.  The  action  showed  that  he  wished  to 
invite  all  eyes  to  examine  his  person.  At  this  moment  the 
yells  ceased  in  the  surrounding  covers,  proclaiming  alike  the 
common  feeling  that  was  awakened  by  his  appearance,  and 
the  hazard  that  any  other  would  have  incurred  by  exposing 
himself  in  that  fearful  scene.  When  this  act  of  exceeding 
confidence  had  been  performed,  the  boy  drew  a  pace  nearer 
to  the  entrance  of  the  block. 

1  1  Comest  thou  in  peace,  or  is  this  another  device  of  In- 
dian treachery?  "  demanded  a  voice,  through  an  opening  in 
the  door  left  expressly  for  the  purposes  of  parley. 

The  boy  raised  the  palm  of  one  hand  towards  the  speaker 
while  he  laid  the  other  with  a  gesture  of  confidence  on  his 
naked  breast. 

4  '  Hast  aught  to  offer  in  behalf  of  my  wife  and  babes  ? 
If  gold  will  buy  their  ranson,  name  thy  price.  '  ' 

Miantonimoh  was  at  no  loss  to  comprehend  the  other's 


Ube  Mept  of  Wteb^Uon^Misb          177 

meaning.  With  the  readiness  of  one  whose  faculties  had 
been  early  schooled  in  the  inventions  of  emergencies,  he 
made  a  gesture  that  said  even  more  than  his  figurative 
words,  as  he  answered, — 

"  Can  a  woman  of  the  pale- faces  pass  through  wood?  An 
Indian  arrow  is  swifter  than  the  foot  of  my  mother." 

"  Boy,  I  trust  thee,"  returned  the  voice  from  within  the 
loop.  "  If  thou  deceivest  beings  so  feeble  and  so  innocent, 
Heaven  will  remember  the  wrong." 

Miantonimoh  again  made  a  sign  to  show  that  caution 
must  be  used,  and  then  he  retired  with  a  step  calm  and 
measured  as  that  used  in  his  advance.  Another  pause  to 
the  shouts  betrayed  the  interest  of  those  whose  fierce  eyes 
watched  his  movements  in  the  distance. 

When  the  young  Indian  had  rejoined  the  party  in  the 
dwelling,  he  led  them,  without  being  observed  by  the  lurk- 
ing band  that  still  hovered  in  the  smoke  of  the  surrounding 
buildings,  to  a  spot  that  commanded  a  full  view  of  their 
short  but  perilous  route.  At  this  moment  the  door  of  the 
block-house  half  opened,  and  was  closed  again.  Still  the 
stranger  hesitated,  for  he  saw  how  little  was  the  chance  that 
all  should  cross  the  court  unharmed,  and  to  pass  it  by  re- 
peated trials  he  knew  to  be  impossible. 

"  Boy,"  he  said,  "  thou,  who  hast  done  thus  much,  may 
still  do  more.  Ask  mercy  for  these  children,  in  some  man- 
ner that  may  touch  the  hearts  of  thy  people." 

Miantonimoh  shook  his  head,  and  pointing  to  the  ghastly 
corpse  that  lay  in  the  court,  he  answered  coldly, — 

"  The  redman  has  tasted  blood." 

"  Then  must  the  desperate  trial  be  done  !  Think  not  of 
thy  children,  devoted  and  daring  mother,  but  look  only  to 
thine  own  safety.  This  witless  youth  and  I  will  charge  our- 
selves with  the  care  of  the  innocents." 

Ruth  waved  him  away  with  her  hand,  pressing  her  mute 
and  trembling  daughter  to  her  bosom,  in  a  manner  to  show 
that  her  resolution  was  taken.  The  stranger  yielded,  and 
turning  to  Whittal  who  stood  near  him,  seemingly  as  much 
occupied  in  vacant  admiration  of  the  blazing  piles  as  in  any 
apprehension  of  his  own  r>ersona1  danger,  he  bade  him  look 


178          TTbe  Mept  of 


to  the  safety  of  the  remaining  child.  Moving  in  front  him- 
self, he  was  about  to  offer  Ruth  such  protection  as  the  case 
afforded,  when  a  window  in  the  rear  of  the  house  was 
dashed  inwards,  announcing  the  entrance  of  the  enemy,  and 
the  imminent  danger  that  their  flight  would  be  intercepted. 
There  was  no  time  to  lose,  for  it  was  now  •  certain  that  only 
a  single  room  separated  them  from  their  foes.  The  gener- 
ous nature  of  Ruth  was  aroused,  and  catching  Martha  from 
the  arms  of  Whittal  Ring,  she  endeavored  by  a  desperate 
effort,  in  which  feeling  rather  than  any  reasonable  motive 
predominated,  to  envelop  both  the  children  in  her  robe. 

"  I  am  with  ye  !  "  whispered  the  agitated  woman  :  "  hush 
ye,  hush  ye,  babes  !  thy  mother  is  nigh  !  '  ' 

The  stranger  was  very  differently  employed.  The  in- 
stant the  crash  of  glass  was  heard,  he  rushed  to  the  rear  ; 
and  he  had  already  grappled  with  the  savage  so  often 
named,  and  who  acted  as  guide  to  a  dozen  fierce  and  yell- 
ing followers. 

"  To  the  block  !  "  shouted  the  steady  soldier,  while  with 
a  powerful  arm  he  held  his  enemy  in  the  throat  of  the 
narrow  passage,  stopping  the  approach  of  those  in  the  rear 
by  the  body  of  his  foe.  "  For  the  love  of  life  and  children, 
woman,  to  the  block  !  '  ' 

The  summons  rang  frightfully  in  the  ears  of  Ruth,  but  in 
that  moment  of  extreme  jeopardy  her  presence  of  mind  was 
lost.  The  cry  was  repeated,  and  not  till  then  did  the  be- 
wildered mother  catch  her  daughter  from  the  floor.  With 
eyes  still  bent  on  the  fierce  struggle  in  her  rear,  she  clasped 
the  child  to  her  heart  and  fled,  calling  on  Whittal  Ring  to 
follow.  The  lad  obeyed,  and  ere  she  had  half  crossed  the 
court  the  stranger,  still  holding  his  savage  shield  between 
him  and  his  enemies,  was  seen  endeavoring  to  take  the 
same  direction.  The  whoops,  the  flight  of  arrows,  and  the 
discharges  of  musketry  that  succeeded,  proclaimed  the 
whole  extent  of  the  danger.  But  fear  had  lent  unnatural 
vigor  to  the  limbs  of  Ruth,  and  the  gliding  arrows  them- 
selves scarce  sailed  more  swiftly  through  the  heated  air 
than  she  darted  into  the  open  door  of  the  block.  Whittal 
Ring  was  less  successful.  As  he  crossed  the  court,  bearing 


ZTbe  Mept  of  Misb^otWiKIUsb  179 

the  child  intrusted  to  his  care,  an  tiirow  pierced  his  flesh. 
Stung  by  the  pain,  the  witless  lad  turned  in  anger  to  chide 
the  hand  that  had  inflicted  the  injury. 

"  On,  foolish  boy  !  "  cried  the  stranger,  as  he  passed  him, 
still  making  a  target  of  the  body  of  the  savage  that  was 
writhing  in  his  grasp.  * '  On,  for  thy  life,  and  that  of  the 
babe  !" 

The  mandate  came  too  late.  The  hand  of  an  Indian  was 
already  on  the  innocent  victim,  and  in  the  next  instant  the 
child  was  sweeping  the  air,  while  with  a  short  yell  a  keen 
axe  flourished  above  his  head.  A  shot  from  the  loops  laid 
the  monster  dead  in  his  tracks.  The  girl  was  instantly 
seized  by  another  hand,  and  as  the  captor  with  his  prize 
darted  unharmed  into  the  dwelling,  there  arose  in  the  block 
a  common  exclamation  of  the  name  of  "  Kiantonimoh  ! " 
Two  more  of  the  savages  profited  by  the  pause  of  horror 
that  followed,  to  lay  hands  on  the  wounded  Whittal  and  to 
drag  him  within  the  blazing  building.  At  the  same  mo- 
ment, the  stranger  cast  the  unresisting  savage  back  upon 
the  weapons  of  his  companions.  The  bleeding  and  half- 
strangled  Indian  met  the  blows  which  had  been  aimed  at 
the  life  of  the  soldier,  and  as  he  staggered  and  fell,  his 
vigorous  conqueror  disappeared  in  the  block.  The  door 
of  the  little  citadel  was  instantly  closed,  and  the  savages, 
who  rushed  headlong  against  the  entrance,  heard  the  fitting 
of  the  bars  which  secured  it  against  their  attacks.  The  yell 
of  retreat  was  raised,  and  in  the  next  instant  the  court  was 
left  to  the  possession  of  the  dead. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

"  Did  Heaven  look  on, 
And  would  not  take  their  part  ?  — 

Heaven  rest  them  now  !  " 

Macbeth. 


"\  T  7"®  wiu  be  thankful  for  this 

\  /\  I       Content,   as  he  aided  the  half-unconscious 

\   \         Ruth  to  mount  the  ladder,  yielding  himself 

to  a  feeling  of  nature  that  said  little  against 

his  manhood.     "If  we  have  lost  one  that  we  loved,  God 

hath  spared  our  own  child." 

His  breathless  wife  threw  herself  into  a  seat,  and  folding 
the  treasure  to  her  bosom,  she  whispered  rather  than  said 
aloud,  "  From  my  soul,  Heathcote,  am  I  grateful  !." 

1  '  Thou  shieldest  the  babe  from  my  sight,  '  '  returned  the 
father,  stooping  to  conceal  a  tear  that  was  stealing  down 
his  brown  cheek,  under  the  pretence  of  embracing  the  child  ; 
but  suddenly  recoiling,  he  added  in  alarm,  "  Ruth  !  " 

Startled  by  the  tone  in  which  her  husband  uttered  her 
name,  the  mother  threw  aside  the  folds  of  her  dress  which 
still  concealed  the  girl,  and  stretching  her  out  to  the  length 
of  an  arm,  she  saw  that,  in  the  hurry  of  the  appalling  scene, 
the  children  had  been  exchanged,  and  that  she  had  saved 
the  life  of  Martha  ! 

Notwithstanding  the  generous  disposition  of  Ruth,  it  was 
impossible  to  repress  the  feeling  of  disappointment  which 
came  over  her  with  the  consciousness  of  the  mistake.  Na- 
ture at  first  had  sway,  and  to  a  degree  that  was  fearfully 
powerful. 

"It  is  not  our  babe  !  "  shrieked  the  mother,  still  holding 
the  child  at  the  length  of  her  arm,  and  gazing  at  its  inno- 

1  80 


Ube  Ulept  of  Misb^on^Misb  181 

cent  and  terrified  countenance,  with  an  expression  that 
Martha  had  never  yet  seen  gleaming  from  eyes  that  were 
in  common  so  soft  and  so  indulgent. 

' '  I  am  thine  !  I  am  thine  ! ' '  murmured  the  little  trem- 
bler, struggling  in  vain  to  reach  the  bosom  that  had  so  long 
cherished  her  infancy.  "  If  not  thine,  whose  am  I  ?  " 

The  gaze  of  Ruth  was  still  wild — the  workings  of  her 
features  hysterical. 

''Madam — Mrs.  Heathcote — mother!"  came  timidly, 
and  at  intervals,  from  the  lips  of  the  orphan.  Then  the 
heart  of  Ruth  relented.  She  clasped  the  daughter  of  her 
friend  to  her  breast,  and  nature  found  a  temporary  relief  in 
one  of  those  frightful  exhibitions  of  anguish  which  appear 
to  threaten  the  dissolution  of  the  link  which  connects  the 
soul  with  the  body. 

"  Come,  daughter  of  John  Harding,"  said  Content,  look- 
ing around  him  with  the  assumed  composure  of  a  chastened 
man,  while  natural  regret  struggled  hard  at  his  heart  ; 
"  this  has  been  God's  pleasure.  It  is  meet  that  we  kiss  his 
parental  hand.  I^et  us  be  thankful,"  he  added,  with  a  quiv- 
ering lip  but  steady  eye,  "  that  even  this  mercy  hath  been 
shown.  Our  babe  is  with  the  Indian,  but  our  hopes  are  far 
beyond  the  reach  of  savage  malignity.  We  have  not  '  laid 
up  treasure  where  moth  and  rust  can  corrupt,  or  where 
thieves  may  break  in  and  steal.'  It  may  be  that  the  morn- 
ing shall  bring  means  of  parley  and,  haply,  opportunity  of 
ransom." 

There  was  the  glimmering  of  hope  in  this  suggestion. 
The  idea  seemed  to  give  a  new  direction  to  the  thoughts  of 
Ruth,  and  the  change  enabled  the  long  habits  of  self-re- 
straint to  regain  something  of  their  former  ascendency.  The 
fountain  of  her  tears  became  dry,  and  after  one  short  and 
terrible  struggle,  she  was  again  enabled  to  appear  com- 
posed. But  at  no  time  during  the  continuance  of  that 
fearful  struggle  was  Ruth  Heathcote  again  the  same  ready 
and  useful  agent  of  activity  and  order  that  she  had  been  in 
the  earlier  events  of  the  night. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  remind  the  reader  that  the 
brief  burst  of  parental  agony  which  has  just  been  related, 


tTbe  Mept  of 


escaped  Content  and  his  wife  amid  a  scene  in  which'  the 
other  actors  were  foo  much  occupied  by  their  exertions  to 
note  its  exhibition.  The  fate  of  those  in  the  block  was  too 
evidently  approaching  its  close,  to  allow  of  any  interest  in 
such  an  episode  to  the  great  tragedy  of  the  moment. 

The  character  of  the  contest  had  in  some  measure 
changed.  There  was  no  longer  any  immediate  apprehension 
from  the  missiles  of  the  assailants,  though  danger  pressed 
upon  the  besieged  in  a  new  and  even  in  a  more  horrible 
aspect.  Now  and  then  indeed  an  arrow  quivered  in  the 
openings  of  the  loops,  and  the  blunt  Dudley  had  once  a  nar- 
row escape  from  the  passage  of  a  bullet,  which,  guided  by 
chance,  or  aimed  by  a  hand  surer  than  common,  glanced 
through  one  of  the  narrow  slits,  and  would  have  terminated 
the  history  of  the  borderer,  had  not  the  head  it  obliquely 
encountered  been  too  solid  to  yield  even  to  such  an  assault. 
The  attention  of  the  garrison  was  chiefly  called  to  the  im- 
minent danger  of  the  surrounding  fire.  Though  the  prob- 
ability of  such  an  emergency  as  that  in  which  the  family 
was  now  placed,  had  certainly  been  foreseen,  and  in  some 
degree  guarded  against,  in  the  size  of  the  area  and  in  the 
construction  of  the  block,  yet  it  was  found  that  the  danger 
exceeded  all  former  calculations. 

For  the  basement,  there  was  no  reason  to  feel  alarm.  It 
was  of  stone,  and  of  a  thickness  and  a  material  to  put  at 
defiance  any  artifice  that  their  enemy  might  find  time  to 
practise.  Even  the  two  upper  stories  were  comparatively 
safe  ;  for  they  were  composed  of  blocks  so  solid  as  to  re- 
quire time  to  heat  them,  and  they  were  consequently  as 
little  liable  to  combustion  as  wood  well  could  be.  But  the 
roof,  like  all  of  that,  and  indeed  like  most  of  the  present, 
day  in  America,  was  composed  of  short,  inflammable  shingles 
of  pine.  The  superior  height  of  the  tower  was  some  little 
protection  ;  but  as  the  flames  rose  roaring  above  the  build- 
ings of  the  court,  and  waved  in  wide  circuits  around  the 
heated  area,  the  whole  of  the  fragile  covering  of  the  block 
was  often  wrapped  in  folds  of  fire.  The  result  may  be  an- 
ticipated. Content  was  first  recalled  from  the  bitterness  of 
his  parental  regret,  by  a  cry  which  passed  among  the  family 


TKftept  of  Wteb*Uon*TKIU8b          183 

that  the  roof  of  their  little  citadel  was  in  flames.  One  of 
the  ordinary  wells  of  the  habitation  was  in  the  basement  of 
the  edifice,  and  it  was  fortunate  that  no  precaution  neces- 
sary to  render  it  serviceable  in  an  emergency  like  that 
which  was  now  arrived  had  been  neglected.  A  well  se- 
cured shaft  of  stone  rose  through  the  lower  apartment  into 
the  upper  floor.  Profiting  by  this  happy  precaution,  the 
handmaidens  of  Ruth  plied  the  buckets  with  diligence,  while 
the  young  men  cast  water  freely  on  the  roof,  from  the  win- 
dows of  the  attic.  The  latter  duty  it  may  readily  be  sup- 
posed was  not  performed  without  hazard.  Flights  of 
arrows  were  constantly  directed  against  the  laborers,  and 
more  than  one  of  the  youths  received  greater  or  less  inju- 
ries while  exposed  to  their  annoyance.  There  were  indeed 
a  few  minutes  during  which  it  remained  a  question  of  grave 
interest  how  far  the  risk  they  ran  was  likely  to  be  crowned 
with  success.  The  excessive  heat  of  so  many  fires,  and  the 
occasional  contact  with  the  flames,  as  they  swept  in  eddies 
over  the  place,  began  to  render  it  doubtful  whether  any 
human  efforts  could  long  arrest  the  evil.  Even  the  mas- 
sive and  moistened  logs  of  the  body  of  the  work  began  to- 
smoke,  and  it  was  found  by  experiment  that  the  hand  could 
rest  but  a  moment  on  their  surface. 

During  this  interval  of  deep  suspense,  all  the  men  posted 
at  the  loops  were  called  to  aid  in  extinguishing  the  fire. 
Resistance  was  forgotten  in  the  discharge  of  a  duty  that  had 
become  still  more  pressing.  Ruth  herself  was  aroused  by 
the  nature  of  the  alarm,  and  all  hands  and  all  minds  were 
arduously  occupied  in  a  toil  that  diverted  attention  from 
incidents  which  had  less  interest,  because  they  were  teem- 
ing less  with  instant  destruction.  Danger  is  known  to  lose 
its  terrors  by  familiarity.  The  young  borderers  became 
reckless  of  their  persons  in  the  ardor  of  exertion,  and  as 
success  began  to  crown  their  efforts,  something  like  the 
levity  of  happier  moments  got  the  better  of  their  concern. 
Stolen  and  curious  glances  were  thrown  around  a  place  that 
had  so  long  been  kept  sacred  to  the  secret  uses  of  the 
Puritan,  when  it  was  found  that  the  flames  were  subdued, 
and  that  the  present  danger  was  averted.  The  light  glared 


1  84          ZTbe  Wept  of 


powerfully  through  several  openings  in  the  shingles  no  less 
than  through  the  windows,  and  every  eye  was  enabled  to 
scan  the  contents  of  an  apartment  which  all  had  longed, 
though  none  had  ever  before  presumed,  to  enter. 

"The  captain  looketh  well  to  the  body,"  whispered  Reu- 
ben Ring  to  one  of  his  comrades,  as  he  wiped  the  effects  of 
the  toil  from  a  sunburnt  brow.  "Thou  seest,  Hiram,  that 
there  is  good  store  of  cheer." 

'  *  The  buttery  is  not  better  stored  !  '  '  returned  the  other, 
with  the  shrewdness  and  ready  observation  of  a  border-man. 
'  l  It  is  known  that  he  never  toucheth  that  which  the  cow 
yields,  except  as  it  comes  from  the  creature,  and  here  we 
find  of  the  best  that  the  madam's  dairy  can  yield  !  " 

"  Surely  yon  buff  jerkin  is  like  to  those  worn  by  the  idle 
cavaliers  at  home  !  I  think  it  be  long  since  the  captain  hath 
ridden  forth  in  such  a  guise." 

"That  may  be  matter  of  ancient  usage,  for  thou  seest  he 
hath  relics  of  the  fashion  of  the  English  troopers  in  this  bit 
of  steel  ;  it  is  like  he  holdeth  deep  exercise  over  the  vanities 
of  his  youth,  while  recalling  the  times  in  which  they  were 
worn." 

This  conjecture  appeared  to  satisfy  the  other,  though  it  is 
probable  that  a  sight  of  a  fresh  store  of  bodily  aliment, 
which  was  soon  after  exposed,  in  order  to  gain  access  to  the 
roof,  might  have  led  to  some  further  inferences,  had  more 
time  been  given  to  conjectures.  But  at  this  moment  a  new 
wail  proceeded  from  the  maidens  who  plied  the  buckets 
beneath. 

"  To  the  loops  !  to  the  loops,  or  we  are  lost  !  "  was  a  sum- 
mons that  admitted  of  no  delay.  I,ed  by  the  stranger,  the 
young  men  rushed  below,  where,  in  truth,  they  found  a  seri- 
ous demand  on  all  their  activity  and  courage. 

The  Indians  were  wanting  in  none  of  the  sagacity  which 
so  remarkably  distinguishes  the  warfare  of  this  cunning 
race.  The  time  spent  by  the  family  in  arresting  the  flames 
had  not  been  thrown  away  by  the  assailants.  Profiting  by 
the  attention  of  those  within,  to  efforts  that  were  literally 
of  the  last  importance,  they  had  found  means  to  convey 
burning  brands  to  the  door  of  the  block,  against  which  they 


Ube  Mept  of  WLteh*Uon*W&iBh          185 

had  piled  a  mass  of  blazing  combustibles,  that  threatened 
shortly  to  open  the  way  into  the  basement  of  the  citadel 
itself.  In  order  to  mask  this  design  and  to  protect  their 
approaches,  the  savages  had  succeeded  in  dragging  bundles 
of  straw  and  other  similar  materials  to  the  foot  of  the  work, 
to  which  the  fire  soon  communicated,  and  which  conse- 
quently served  both  to  increase  the  actual  danger  of  the 
building  and  to  distract  the  attention  of  those  by  whom  it 
was  defended.  Although  the  water  that  fell  from  the  roof 
served  to  retard  the  progress  of  these  flames,  it  contributed 
to  produce  the  effect  that  of  all  others  was  most  desired  by 
the  savages.  The  dense  volumes  of  smoke  that  arose  from 
the  half-smothered  fire  first  apprised  the  females  of  the  new 
danger  which  assailed  them.  When  Content  and  the  stran- 
ger reached  the  principal  floor  of  their  citadel,  it  required 
some  little  time  and  no  small  degree  of  coolness  to  compre- 
hend the  situation  in  which  they  were  now  placed.  The 
vapor  that  rolled  upwards  from  the  wet  straw  and  hay  had 
already  penetrated  into  the  apartment,  and  it  was  with  no 
slight  difficulty  that  they  who  occupied  it  were  enabled  to 
distinguish  objects,  or  even  to  breathe. 

' '  Here  is  matter  to  exercise  our  utmost  fortitude, ' '  said 
the  stranger  to  his  constant  companion.  "We  must  look 
to  this  new  device,  or  we  come  to  the  fate  of  death  by  fire. 
Summon  the  stoutest-hearted  of  thy  youths,  and  I  will  lead 
them  to  a  sortie,  ere  the  evil  get  past  a  remedy." 

"  That  were  certain  victory  to  the  heathen.  Thou  near- 
est, by  their  yells,  that  't  is  no  small  band  of  scouters  who 
beleaguer  us  ;  a  tribe  hath  sent  forth  its  chosen  warriors  to 
do  their  wickedness.  Better  is  it  that  we  bestir  ourselves 
to  drive  them  from  our  door,  and  to  prevent  the  further  an- 
noyance of  this  cloud,  since,  to  issue  from  the  block,  at  this 
moment,  would  be  to  offer  our  heads  to  the  tomahawk  ; 
and  to  ask  mercy  is  as  vain  as  to  hope  to  move  the  rock 
with  tears." 

"  And  in  what  manner  may  we  do  this  needful  ser- 
vice ?" 

"  Our  muskets  will  still  command  the  entrance,  by  means 
of  these  downward  loops,  and  \vater  may  yet  be  applied 


1  86          ftbe  Wept  of 


through  the  same  openings.  Thought  hath  been  had  of 
this  danger,  in  the  disposition  of  the  place.  '  ' 

'  '  Then,  of  Heaven's  mercy,  delay  not  the  effort  !  " 

The  necessary  measures  were  taken  instantly.  Kben 
Dudley  applied  the  muzzle  of  his  piece  to  a  loop,  and  dis- 
charged it  downwards,  in  the  direction  of  the  endangered 
door.  But  aim  was  impossible  in  the  obscurity,  and  his 
want  of  success  was  proclaimed  by  a  taunting  shout  of 
triumph.  Then  followed  a  flood  of  water,  which,  however, 
was  scarcely  of  more  service,  since  the  savages  had  foreseen 
its  use,  and  had  made  a  provision  against  its  effects  by 
placing  boards  and  such  vessels  as  they  found  scattered 
among  the  buildings,  above  the  fire,  in  a  manner  to  prevent 
most  of  the  fluid  from  reaching  its  aim. 

'  '  Come  hither  with  thy  musket,  Reuben  Ring,  '  '  said 
Content,  hurriedly  ;  '  '  the  wind  stirreth  the  smoke  here  ; 
the  savages  still  heap  fuel  against  the  wall.  '  ' 

The  borderer  complied.  There  were  in  fact  moments 
when  dark  human  forms  were  to  be  seen  gliding  in  silence 
around  the  building,  though  the  density  of  the  vapor  ren- 
dered the  forms  indistinct,  and  their  movements  doubtful. 
With  a  cool  and  practised  eye,  the  youth  sought  a  victim  ; 
but  as  he  discharged  his  musket  an  object  glanced  near  his 
own  visage,  as  though  the  bullet  had  recoiled  on  him  who  had 
given  it  a  very  different  mission.  Stepping  backwards  a  little 
hurriedly,  he  saw  the  stranger  pointing  through  the  smoke 
at  an  arrow,  which  still  quivered  in  the  floor  above  them. 

'  '  We  cannot  long  abide  these  assaults,  '  '  the  soldier  mut- 
tered ;  "something  must  be  speedily  devised,  or  we  fall." 

His  words  ceased,  for  a  yell  that  appeared  to  lift  the  floor 
on  which  he  stood  announced  the  destruction  of  the  door 
and  the  presence  of  the  savages  in  the  basement  of  the 
tower.  Both  parties  appeared  momentarily  confounded  at 
this  unexpected  success  ;  for  while  the  one  stood  mute  with 
astonishment  and  dread,  the  other  did  little  more  than  tri- 
umph. But  this  inaction  soon  ended.  The  conflict  was 
resumed,  though  the  efforts  of  the  assailants  began  to  as- 
sume the  confidence  of  victory,  while  on  the  part  of  the 
besieged  they  partook  fearfully  of  the  aspect  of  despair. 


Mept  of  Mtsb^on^lPdltsb  187 

A  few  muskets  were  discharged,  both  from  below  and 
above,  at  the  intermediate  door,  but  the  thickness  of  the 
planks  prevented  the  bxillets  from  doing  injury.  Then  com- 
menced a  struggle,  in  which  the  respective  qualities  of  the  com- 
batants were  exhibited  in  a  singularly  characteristic  manner. 
While  the  Indians  improved  their  advantages  beneath,  with 
all  the  arts  known  to  savage  warfare,  the  young  men  resisted 
with  that  wonderful  aptitude  of  expedient  and  readiness 
of  execution  which  distinguish  the  American  borderer. 

The  first  attempt  of  the  assailants  was  to  burn  the  floor  of 
the  lower  apartment.  In  order  to  effect  this,  they  threw  vast 
piles  of  straw  into  the  basement.  But  ere  the  brand  was 
applied,  water  had  reduced  the  inflammable  material  to  a 
black  and  murky  pile.  Still  the  smoke  had  nearly  effected  a 
conquest  which  the  fire  itself  had  failed  to  achieve.  So  suffo- 
cating indeed  were  the  clouds  of  vapor  which  ascended  through 
the  crevices,  that  the  females  were  compelled  to  seek  a  refuge 
in  the  attic.  Here  the  openings  in  the  roof,  and  a  swift  cur- 
rent of  air,  relieved  them  in  some  degree  from  its  annoyance. 

When  it  was  found  that  the  command  of  the  well  afforded 
the  besieged  the  means  of  protecting  the  wood-work  of  the 
interior,  an  effort  was  made  to  cut  off  the  communication  with 
the  water,  by  forcing  a  passage  into  the  circular  stone  shaft, 
through  which  it  was  drawn  into  the  room  above.  This  at- 
tempt was  defeated  by  the  readiness  of  the  youths,  who  soon 
cut  holes  in  the  floor,  whence  they  sent  down  certain  death 
on  all  beneath.  Perhaps  no  part  of  the  assault  was  more 
obstinate  than  that  which  accompanied  this  effort ;  nor  did 
either  assailants  or  assailed,  at  any  time  during  its  continu- 
ance, suffer  greater  personal  injury.  After  a  long  and  fierce 
struggle,  the  resistance  was  effectual,  and  the  savages  had 
recourse  to  new  schemes  in  order  to  effect  their  ruthless  object. 

During  the  first  moments  of  their  entrance,  and  with  a  view 
to  reap  the  fruits  of  the  victory  when  the  garrison  should  be 
more  effectually  subdued,  most  of  the  furniture  of  the  dwell- 
ing had  been  scattered  by  the  conquerors  on  the  side  of  the 
hill.  Among  other  articles,  some  six  or  seven  beds  had 
been  dragged  from  the  dormitories.  These  were  now  brought 
into  play  as  powerful  instruments  in  the  assault.  They  were 


1  88          tlbe  Mept  of 


cast,  one  by  one,  on  the  still  burning  though  smothered 
flames  in  the  basement  of  the  block,  whence  they  sent  up  a 
cloud  of  their  intolerable  effluvia.  At  this  trying  moment 
the  appalling  cry  was  heard  in  the  block  that  the  well  had 
failed  !  The  buckets  ascended  as  empty  as  they  went  down, 
and  they  were  thrown  aside  as  no  longer  useful.  The  savages 
seemed  to  comprehend  their  advantage,  for  they  profited  by 
the  confusion  that  succeeded  among  the  assailed  to  feed  the 
slumbering  fires.  The  flames  kindled  fiercely,  and  in  less 
than  a  minute  they  became  too  violent  to  be  subdued.  They 
were  soon  seen  playing  on  the  planks  of  the  floor  above. 
The  subtle  element  flashed  from  point  to  point,  and  it  was 
not  long  ere  it  was  stealing  up  the  outer  side  of  the  heated 
block  itself. 

The  savages  now  knew  that  conquest  was  sure.  Yells  and 
whoopings  proclaimed  the  fierce  delight  with  which  they 
witnessed  the  certainty  of  their  victory.  Still  there  was 
something  portentous  in  the  death-like  silence  with  which 
the  victims  within  the  block  awaited  their  fate.  The  whole 
exterior  of  the  building  was  already  wrapped  in  flames,  and 
yet  no  show  of  further  resistance,  no  petition  for  mercy, 
issued  from  its  bosom.  The  unnatural  and  frightful  still- 
ness that  reigned  within  was  gradually  communicated  to 
those  without.  The  cries  and  shouts  of  triumph  ceased, 
and  the  crackling  of  the  flames,  or  the  falling  of  timber  in 
the  adjoining  buildings,  alone  disturbed  the  awful  calm.  At 
length  a  solitary  voice  was  heard  in  the  block.  Its  tones 
were  deep,  solemn,  and  imploring.  The  fierce  beings  who 
surrounded  the  glowing  pile  bent  forward  to  listen,  for  their 
quick  faculties  caught  the  first  sounds  that  were  audible. 
It  was  Mark  Heathcote  pouring  out  his  spirit  in  prayer.  The 
petition  was  fervent,  but  steady,  and  though  uttered  in  words 
that  were  unintelligible  to  those  without,  they  knew  enough 
of  the  practices  of  the  colonists  to  be  aware  that  it  was  the 
chief  of  the  pale-faces  holding  communion  with  his  God. 
Partly  in  awe,  and  partly  in  doubt  of  what  might  be  the 
consequences  of  so  mysterious  an  asking,  the  dark  crowd 
withdrew  to  a  little  distance,  and  silently  watched  the  pro- 
gress of  the  destruction.  They  had  heard  strange  sayings 


OTept  of  TOteb*tTon*Wi6b  189 

of  the  power  of  the  Deity  of  their  invaders,  and  as  their  vic- 
tims appeared  suddenly  to  cease  using  any  of  the  known 
means  of  safety,  they  appeared  to  expect,  perhaps  they  did 
expect,  some  unequivocal  manifestation  of  the  power  of  the 
Great  Spirit  of  the  stranger. 

Still  no  sign  of  pity,  no  relenting  from  the  ruthless  bar- 
barity of  their  warfare,  escaped  any  of  the  assailants.  If  they 
thought  at  all  of  the  temporal  fate  of  those  who  might  still 
exist  within  the  fiery  pile,  it  was  only  to  indulge  in  some 
passing  regret  that  the  obstinacy  of  the  defence  had  deprived 
them  of  the  glory  of  bearing  the  usual  bloody  tokens  of  vic- 
tory in  triumph  to  their  villages.  But  even  these  peculiar 
and  deeply-rooted  feelings  were  forgotten  as  the  progress  of 
the  flames  placed  the  hope  of  its  indulgence  beyond  all  pos- 
sibility. 

The  roof  of  the  block  rekindled,  and,  by  the  light  that 
shone  through  the  loops,  it  was  but  too  evident  the  interior 
was  in  a  blaze.  Once  or  twice  smothered  sounds  came  out 
of  the  place,  as  if  suppressed  shrieks  were  escaping  the 
females ;  but  they  ceased  so  suddenly  as  to  leave  doubts 
among  the  auditors  whether  it  was  more  than  the  deception 
of  their  own  excited  fancies.  The  savages  had  witnessed 
many  a  similar  scene  of  human  suffering,  but  never  one  be- 
fore in  which  death  was  met  with  so  unmoved  a  calmness. 
The  serenity  that  reigned  in  the  blazing  block  communicated 
to  them  a  feeling  of  awe  ;  and  when  the  pile  came  a  tumbling 
and  blackened  mass  of  ruins  to  the  earth,  they  avoided  the 
place  like  men  that  dreaded  the  vengeance  of  a  Deity  who 
knew  how  to  infuse  so  deep  a  sentiment  of  resignation  into 
the  breasts  of  his  worshippers. 

Though  the  yells  of  victory  were  again  heard  in  the  val- 
ley that  night,  and  though  the  sun  had  arisen  before  the 
conquerors  deserted  the  hill,  but  few  of  the  band  found  reso- 
lution to  approach  the  smouldering  pile  where  they  had  wit- 
nessed so  impressive  an  exhibition  of  Christian  fortitude. 
The  few  that  did  draw  near  stood  around  the  spot  rather  in 
the  reverence  with  which  an  Indian  visits  the  graves  of  the 
just,  than  in  the  fierce  rejoicings  with  which  he  is  known  to 
glut  his  revenge  over  a  fallen  enemy. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

"  What  are  these, 

So  withered,  and  so  wild  in  their  attire  ; 
That  look  not  like  the  inhabitants  of  earth, 
And  yet  are  on  't?" 

Macbeth. 

THAT  sternness  of  the  season  which  has  already  been 
mentioned  in  these  pages  is  never  of  long  con- 
tinuance in  the  month  of  April.  A  change  in  the 
wind  had  been  noted  by  the  hunters  even  before 
they  retired  from  their  range  among  the  hills  ;  and  though 
too  seriously  occupied  to  pay  close  attention  to  the  progress 
of  the  thaw,  more  than  one  of  the  young  men  had  found 
occasion  to  remark  that  the  final  breaking  up  of  the  winter 
had  arrived.  I/ong  ere  the  scene  of  the  preceding  chapter 
reached  its  height,  the  southern  winds  had  mingled  with 
the  heat  of  the  conflagration.  Warm  airs,  that  had  been 
following  the  course  of  the  Gulf  Stream,  were  driven  to  the 
land,  and,  sweeping  over  the  narrow  island  that  at  this  point 
forms  the  advanced  work  of  the  continent,  but  a  few  short 
hours  had  passed  before  they  destroyed  every  chilling  rem- 
nant of  the  dominion  of  winter.  Warm,  bland,  and  rushing 
in  torrents,  the  subtle  currents  penetrated  the  forests,  melted 
the  snows  from  the  fields,  and  as  all  alike  felt  the  genial  in- 
fluence, it  appeared  to  bestow  a  renovated  existence  on  man 
and  beast.  With  morning,  therefore,  a  landscape  very  dif- 
ferent from  that  last  placed  before  the  mind  of  the  reader 
presented  itself  in  the  valley  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish. 

The  winter  had  entirely  disappeared,  and  as  the  buds  had 
begun  to  swell  under  the  occasional  warmth  of  the  spring, 
one  ignorant  of  the  past  would  not  have  supposed  that  the 

IQO 


Mept  of  Misb^ITotVraiUsb  191 

advance  of  the  season  had  been  subject  to  so  stern  an  inter- 
ruption. But  the  principal  and  most  melancholy  change 
was  in  the  more  artificial  parts  of  the  view.  Instead  of  those 
simple  and  happy  habitations  which  had  crowned  the  little 
eminence,  there  remained  only  a  mass  of  blackened  and 
charred  ruins.  A  few  abused  and  half-destroyed  articles  of 
household  furniture  lay  scattered  on  the  sides  of  the  hill,  and 
here  and  there  a  dozen  palisadoes,  favored  by  some  accidental 
cause,  had  partially  escaped  the  flames.  Eight  or  ten  mas- 
sive and  dreary-looking  stacks  of  chimneys  rose  out  of  the 
smoking  piles.  In  the  centre  of  the  desolation  was  the  stone 
basement  of  the  block-house,  on  which  still  stood  a  few 
gloomy  masses  of  the  timber,  resembling  coal.  The  naked 
and  unsupported  shaft  of  the  well  reared  its  circular  pillar 
from  the  centre,  looking  like  a  dark  monument  of  the  past. 
The  wide  ruin  of  the  out-buildings  blackened  one  side  of  the 
clearing,  and,  in  different  places,  the  fences,  like  radii  diverg- 
ing from  the  common  centre  of  destruction,  had  led  off  the 
flames  into  the  fields.  A  few  domestic  animals  ruminated 
in  the  background,  and  even  the  feathered  inhabitants  of  the 
barns  still  kept  aloof,  as  if  warned  by  their  instinct  that  dan- 
ger lurked  around  the  site  of  their  ancient  abodes.  In  all 
other  respects  the  view  was  calm  and  lovely  as  ever.  The 
sun  shone  from  a  sky  in  which  no  cloud  was  visible.  The 
blandness  of  the  winds,  and  the  brightness  of  the  heavens, 
lent  an  air  of  animation  to  even  the  leafless  forest ;  and  the 
white  vapor,  that  continued  to  rise  from  the  smouldering 
piles,  floated  high  over  the  hills,  as  the  peaceful  smoke  of 
the  cottage  curled  above  its  roof. 

The  ruthless  band  which  had  occasioned  this  sudden 
change  was  already  far  on  the  way  to  its  villages,  or  haply 
it  sought  some  other  scene  of  blood.  A  skilful  eye  might 
have  traced  the  route  these  fierce  creatures  of  the  woods  had 
taken,  by  fences  hurled  from  their  places,  or  by  the  carcass 
of  some  animal  that  had  fallen,  in  the  wantonness  of  victory, 
beneath  a  parting  blow.  Of  all  these  wild  beings,  one  only 
remained  ;  and  he  appeared  to  linger  at  the  spot  in  the  in- 
dulgence of  feelings  that  were  foreign  to  those  passions  that 
had  so  recently  stirred  the  bosoms  of  his  comrades. 


Ube  Wept  of 


It  was  with  a  slow,  noiseless  step,  that  the  solitary  loiterer 
moved  about  the  scene  of  destruction.  He  was  first  seen 
treading  with  a  thoughtful  air  among  the  ruins  of  the  build- 
ings that  had  formed  the  quadrangle,  and  then,  seemingly 
led  by  an  interest  in  the  fate  of  those  who  had  so  miserably 
perished,  he  drew  nearer  to  the  pile  in  its  centre.  The  nicest 
and  most  attentive  ear  could  not  have  detected  the  fall  of  his 
foot,  as  the  Indian  placed  it  within  the  gloomy  circle  of  the 
ruined  wall  ;  nor  is  the  breathing  of  the  infant  less  audible 
than  the  manner  in  which  he  drew  breath,  while  standing  in 
a  place  so  lately  consecrated  by  the  agony  and  martyrdom  of 
a  Christian  family.  It  was  the  boy  called  Miantonimoh, 
seeking  some  melancholy  memorial  of  those  with  whom  he 
had  so  long  dwelt  in  amity,  if  not  in  confidence. 

One  skilled  in  the  history  of  savage  passions  might  have 
found  a  clue  to  the  workings  of  the  mind  of  the  youth,  in  the 
play  of  his  speaking  features.  As  his  dark,  glittering  eye 
rolled  over  the  smouldering  fragments,  it  seemed  to  search 
keenly  for  some  vestige  of  the  human  form.  The  element, 
however,  had  done  its  work  too  greedily  to  have  left  many 
visible  memorials  of  its  fury.  An  object  resembling  that  he 
sought,  however,  caught  his  glance,  and  stepping  lightly 
to  the  spot  where  it  lay,  he  raised  the  bone  of  a  powerful  arm 
from  the  brands.  The  flashing  of  his  eye,  as  it  lighted  on 
this  sad  object,  was  wild  and  exulting,  like  that  of  the  sav- 
age when  he  first  feels  the  fierce  joy  of  glutted  vengeance  ; 
but  gentle  recollections  came  with  the  gaze,  and  kinder  feel- 
ings evidently  usurped  the  place  of  the  hatred  he  had  been 
taught  to  bear  a  race  who  were  so  fast  sweeping  his  people 
from  the  earth.  The  relic  fell  from  his  hand,  and  had  Ruth 
been  there  to  witness  the  melancholy  and  relenting  shade 
that  clouded  his  swarthy  features,  she  might  have  found 
pleasure  in  the  certainty  that  all  her  kindness  had  not  been 
wasted. 

Regret  soon  gave  place  to  awe.  To  the  imagination  of 
the  Indian,  it  seemed  as  if  a  still  voice,  like  that  which  is 
believed  to  issue  from  the  grave,  was  heard  in  the  place. 
Bending  his  body  forward,  he  listened  with  the  intensity  and 
acuteness  of  a  savage.  He  thought  the  smothered  tones  of 


Ube  Wept  of  Mfsb^on^Mfsb  193 

Mark  Heathecote  were  again  audible,  holding  communion 
with  his  God.  The  chisel  of  the  Grecian  would  have  loved 
to  delineate  the  attitudes  and  movements  of  the  wondering 
boy,  as  he  slowly  and  reverently  withdrew  from  the  spot. 
His  look  was  riveted  on  the  vacancy  where  the  upper  apart- 
ments of  the  block  had  stood,  and  where  he  had  last  seen 
the  family,  calling  in  their  extremity  on  their  Deity  for  aid. 
Imagination  still  painted  the  victims  in  their  burning  pile. 
For  a  minute  longer,  during  which  brief  space  the  young 
Indian  probably  expected  to  see  some  vision  of  the  pale- 
faces, did  he  linger  near ;  and  then,  with  a  musing  air  and 
softened  mind,  he  trod  lightly  along  the  path  which  led  on 
the  trail  of  his  people.  When  his  active  form  reached  the 
boundary  of  the  forest,  he  again  paused,  and  taking  a  final 
gaze  at  the  place  where  fortune  had  made  him  a  witness  to 
so  much  domestic  peace  and  to  so  much  sudden  misery,  his 
form  was  quickly  swallowed  in  the  gloom  of  his  native 
woods. 

The  work  of  the  savages  now  seemed  complete.  An 
effectual  check  appeared  to  be  placed  to  the  further  progress 
of  civilization  in  the  ill-fated  valley  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish. 
Had  nature  been  left  to  its  own  work,  a  few  years  would 
have  covered  the  deserted  clearing  with  its  ancient  vegeta- 
tion ;  and  half  a  century  would  have  again  buried  the  whole 
of  its  quiet  glades  in  the  shadows  of  the  forest.  But  it  was 
otherwise  decreed. 

The  sun  had  reached  the  meridian,  and  the  hostile  band 
had  been  gone  some  hours,  before  aught  occurred  likely 
to  affect  this  seeming  decision  of  Providence.  To  one 
acquainted  with  the  recent  horrors,  the  breathing  of  the  airs 
over  the  ruins  might  have  passed  for  the  whisperings  of  de- 
parted spirits.  In  short,  it  appeared  as  if  the  silence  of  the 
wilderness  had  once  more  resumed  its  reign,  when  it  was 
suddenly  though  slightly  interrupted.  A  movement  was 
made  within  the  ruins  of  the  block.  It  sounded  as  if  billets 
of  wood  were  gradually  and  cautiously  displaced,  and  then 
a  human  head  was  reared  slowly,  and  with  marked  suspicion, 
above  the  shaft  of  the  well.  The  wild  and  unearthly  air  of 

this  seeming  spectre  was  in  keeping  with  the  rest  of  the 
13 


194          'Ebe  Wept  of 


scene.  A  face  begrimed  with  smoke  and  stained  with  blood, 
a  head  bound  in  some  fragment  of  a  soiled  dress,  and  eyes 
that  were  glaring  in  a  species  of  dull  horror,  were  objects 
in  unison  with  all  the  other  frightful  accessories  of  the 
place. 

'  '  What  seest  thou  ?  '  '  demanded  a  deep  voice  from  within 
the  walls  of  the  shaft.  *  '  Shall  we  again  come  to  our  weap- 
ons, or  have  the  agents  of  Moloch  departed  ?  Speak,  en- 
tranced youth  !  what  dost  behold  ?  '  ' 

1  '  A  sight  to  make  a  wolf  weep  !  '  '  returned  Bben  Dudley, 
raising  his  large  frame  so  as  to  stand  erect  on  the  shaft, 
where  he  commanded  a  bird's-eye  view  of  most  of  the  deso- 
lation of  the  valley.  *  '  Evil  though  it  be,  we  may  not  say 
that  forewarning  signs  have  been  withheld.  But  what  is 
the  cunningest  man,  when  mortal  wisdom  is  weighed  in  the 
scale  against  the  craft  of  devils  ?  Come  forth  !  Belial  hath 
done  his  worst,  and  we  have  a  breathing  time." 

The  sounds  which  issued  still  deeper  from  the  well  de- 
noted the  satisfaction  with  which  this  intelligence  was 
received,  no  less  than  the  alacrity  with  which  the  summons 
of  the  borderer  was  obeyed.  Sundry  blocks  of  wood  and 
short  pieces  of  plank  were  first  passed  with  care  up  to  the 
hands  of  Dudley,  who  cast  them  like  useless  lumber  among 
the  other  ruins  of  the  building.  He  then  descended  from 
his  perch,  and  made  room  for  others  to  follow. 

The  stranger  next  arose.  After  him  came  Content,  the 
Puritan,  Reuben  Ring,  and,  in  short,  all  the  youths,  with 
the  exception  of  those  who  had  unhappily  fallen  in  the  con- 
test. After  these  had  mounted,  and  each  in  turn  had  leaped 
to  the  ground,  a  very  brief  preparation  served  for  the 
liberation  of  the  more  feeble  of  the  body.  The  readiness 
of  border  skill  soon  sufficed  to  arrange  the  necessary  means. 
By  the  aid  of  chains  and  buckets,  Ruth  and  the  little 
Martha,  Faith  and  all  the  handmaidens,  without  even  one 
exception,  were  successfully  drawn  from  the  bowels  of  the 
earth,  and  restored  to  the  light  of  day.  It  is  scarcely  nec- 
essary to  say  to  those  whom  experience  has  best  fitted  to 
judge  of  such  an  achievement,  that  no  great  time  or  labor 
was  necessary  for  its  accomplishment. 


TOept  of  TOisb^ZTotWCXIUsb  195 

It  is  not  our  intention  to  harass  the  feelings  of  the 
reader,  further  than  is  required  by  a  simple  narrative  of  the 
incidents  of  the  legend.  We  shall  therefore  say  nothing 
of  the  bodily  pain,  or  of  the  mental  alarm,  by  which  this 
ingenious  retreat  from  the  flames  and  the  tomahawk  had 
been  effected.  The  suffering  was  chiefly  confined  to  appre- 
hension ;  for  as  the  descent  was  easy,  so  had  the  readiness 
and  ingenuity  of  the  young  men  found  means,  by  the  aid 
of  articles  of  furniture  first  cast  into  the  shaft,  and  by 
well-secured  fragments  of  the  floors  properly  placed  across, 
both  to  render  the  situation  of  the  females  and  children  less 
painful  than  might  at  first  be  supposed,  and  effectually  to 
protect  them  from  the  tumbling  block.  But  little  of  the 
latter,  however,  was  likely  to  affect  their  safety,  as  the  form 
of  the  building  was,  in  itself,  a  sufficient  security  against  the 
fall  of  its  heavier  parts. 

The  meeting  of  the  family  amid  the  desolation  of  the 
valley,  though  relieved  by  the  consciousness  of  having  es- 
caped a  more  shocking  fate,  may  easily  be  imagined.  The 
first  act  was  to  render  brief  but  solemn  thanks  for  their 
deliverance,  and  then,  with  the  promptitude  of  people  trained 
in  hardship,  their  attention  was  given  to  those  measures 
which  prudence  told  them  were  yet  necessary. 

A  few  of  the  more  active  and  experienced  of  the  youths 
were  despatched  in  order  to  ascertain  the  direction  taken  by 
the  Indians,  and  to  gain  what  intelligence  they  might  con- 
cerning their  future  movements.  The  maidens  hastened  to 
collect  the  kine,  while  others  searched  with  heavy  hearts 
among  the  ruins,  in  quest  of  such  articles  of  food  and  com- 
fort as  could  be  found,  in  order  to  administer  to  the  first 
wants  of  nature. 

Two  hours  had  effected  most  of  that  which  could  imme- 
diately be  done  in  these  several  pursuits.  The  young  men 
returned  with  the  assurance  that  the  trails  announced  the 
certain  and  final  retreat  of  the  savages.  The  cows  had 
yielded  their  tribute,  and  such  provision  had  been  made 
against  hunger  as  circumstances  would  allow.  The  arms 
had  been  examined  and  put,  as  far  as  the  injuries  they  had 
received  would  admit,  in  readiness  for  instant  service.  A 


196  Ube  Mept  of 


few  hasty  preparations  had  been  made,  in  order  to  protect 
the  females  against  the  cool  airs  of  the  coming  night  ;  and, 
in  short,  all  was  done  that  the  intelligence  of  a  border-man 
could  suggest,  or  his  exceeding  readiness  in  expedients  could 
in  so  brief  a  space  supply. 

The  sun  began  to  fall  towards  the  tops  of  the  beeches 
that  crowned  the  western  outline  of  the  view,  before  all 
these  necessary  arrangements  were  ended.  It  was  not  till 
then,  however,  that  Reuben  Ring,  accompanied  by  another 
youth  of  equal  activity  and  courage,  appeared  before  the 
Puritan,  equipped  as  well  as  men  in  their  situation  might 
be  for  a  journey  through  the  forest. 

"  Go,"  said  the  old  religionist,  when  the  youths  presented 
themselves  before  him  ;  '  '  go  ;  carry  forth  the  tidings  of  this 
visitation,  that  men  come  to  our  succor.  I  ask  not  ven- 
geance on  the  deluded  and  heathenish  imitators  of  the  wor- 
shippers of  Moloch.  They  have  ignorantly  done  this  evil. 
I^et  no  man  arm  in  behalf  of  the  wrongs  of  one  sinful  and 
erring.  Rather  let  them  look  into  the  secret  abominations 
of  their  own  hearts,  in  order  that  they  crush  the  living 
worm,  which,  by  gnawing  on  the  seeds  of  a  healthful  hope, 
may  yet  destro}^  the  fruits  of  the  promise  in  their  own  souls. 
I  would  that  there  be  profit  in  this  example  of  divine  dis- 
pleasure. Go  —  make  the  circuit  of  the  settlements  for  some 
fifty  miles,  and  bid  such  of  the  neighbors  as  may  be  spared, 
come  to  our  aid.  They  shall  be  welcome  ;  and  may  it  be 
long  ere  any  of  them  send  invitation  to  me  or  mine  to  enter 
their  clearings  on  the  like  melancholy  duty.  Depart,  and 
bear  in  mind  that  you  are  messengers  of  peace  ;  that  your 
errand  toucheth  not  the  feelings  of  vengeance,  but  that 
it  is  succor  in  all  fitting  reason,  and  no  arming  of  the 
hand  to  chase  the  savage  to  his  retreats,  that  I  ask  of  the 
brethren.  " 

With  this  final  admonition,  the  young  men  took  their 
leave.  Still  it  was  evident  by  their  frowning  brows  and 
compressed  lips,  that  some  part  of  its  forgiving  principle 
might  be  forgotten,  should  chance  in  their  journey  bring 
them  on  the  trail  of  any  wandering  inhabitant  of  the  forest. 
In  a  few  minutes  they  were  seen  passing  with  swift  steps 


Wept  of  Wteb^orWOmteb  197 

from  the  fields  into  the  depths  of  the  forest,  along  that 
path  which  led  to  the  towns  that  lay  lower  on  the  Connecti- 
cut. 

Another  task  still  remained  to  be  performed.  In  making 
the  temporary  arrangements  for  the  shelter  of  the  family, 
attention  had  been  first  paid  to  the  block-house.  The  walls 
of  the  basement  of  this  building  were  still  standing,  and  it 
was  found  easy  by  means  of  half-burnt  timbers,  with  an 
occasional  board  that  had  escaped  the  conflagration,  to  cover 
it  in  a  manner  that  offered  a  temporary  protection  against 
the  weather.  This  simple  and  hasty  construction,  with  an 
extremely  inartificial  office  erected  around  the  stack  of  a 
chimney,  embraced  nearly  all  that  could  be  done  until  time 
and  assistance  should  enable  them  to  commence  other  dwell- 
ings. In  clearing  the  ruins  of  the  little  tower  of  its  rubbish, 
the  remains  of  those  who  had  perished  in  the  fray  were 
piously  collected.  The  body  of  the  youth  who  had  died  in 
the  earlier  hours  of  the  attack  was  found  but  half  consumed 
in  the  court,  and  the  bones  of  two  more,  who  fell  within  the 
block,  were  collected  from  among  the  ruins.  It  had  now 
become  a  melancholy  duty  to  consign  them  all  to  the  earth 
with  decent  solemnity. 

The  time  selected  for  this  sad  office  was  just  as  the  west- 
ern horizon  began  to  glow  with  that  which  one  of  our  own 
poets  has  so  beautifully  termed,  "  the  pomp  that  brings  and 
shuts  the  day. ' '  The  sun  was  in  the  tree-tops,  and  a  softer 
or  sweeter  light  could  not  have  been  chosen  for  such  a  cere- 
mony. Most  of  the  fields  still  lay  in  the  soft  brightness  of 
the  hour,  though  the  forest  was  rapidly  getting  the  more 
obscure  look  of  night.  A  broad  and  gloomy  margin  was 
spreading  from  the  boundary  of  the  woods,  and  here  and 
there  a  solitary  tree  cast  its  shadow  on  the  meadows  with- 
out its  limits,  throwing  a  dark,  ragged  line  in  bold  relief  on 
the  glow  of  the  sun's  rays.  One — it  was  the  dusky  image 
of  a  high  and  waving  pine,  that  reared  its  dark  green  pyra- 
mid of  never-fading  foliage  nearly  a  hundred  feet  above  the 
humbler  growth  of  beeches — cast  its  shade  to  the  side  of 
the  eminence  of  the  block.  Here  the  pointed  extremity  of 
the  shadow  was  seen,  stealing  slqwly  towards  the  open  grave, 


198          Ube  TOept  of 


—  an  emblem  of  that  oblivion  in  which  its  humble  tenants 
were  so  shortly  to  be  wrapped. 

At  this  spot  Mark  Heathcote  and  his  remaining  com- 
panions had  assembled.  An  oaken  chair  saved  from  the 
flames  was  the  seat  of  the  father,  and  two  parallel  benches, 
formed  of  planks  placed  on  stones,  held  the  other  members 
of  the  family.  The  grave  lay  between.  The  patriarch  had 
taken  his  station  at  one  of  its  ends,  while  the  stranger,  so 
often  named  in  these  pages,  stood  with  folded  arms  and  a 
thoughtful  brow  at  the  other.  The  bridle  of  a  horse,  capari- 
soned in  that  imperfect  manner  which  the  straitened  means 
of  the  borderers  now  rendered  necessary,  was  hanging  from 
one  of  the  half-burnt  palisadoes,  in  the  background. 

11  A  just,  but  a  merciful  hand  hath  been  laid  heavily  on  my 
household,"  commenced  the  old  Puritan,  with  the  calmness 
of  one  who  had  long  been  accustomed  to  chasten  his  regrets 
by  humility.  '  '  He  that  hath  given  freely  hath  taken  away, 
and  One  that  hath  long  smiled  upon  my  weakness  hath  now 
veiled  his  face  in  anger.  I  have  known  Him  in  his  power 
to  bless.  It  was  meet  that  I  should  see  Him  in  his  dis- 
pleasure. A  heart  that  was  waxing  confident  would  have 
hardened  in  its  pride.  At  that  which  hath  befallen,  let  no 
man  murmur.  L,et  none  imitate  the  speech  of  her  who 
spoke  foolishly  :  *  What  !  shall  we  receive  good  at  the  hand 
of  God,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil  ?  '  I  would  that  the 
feeble-minded  of  the  world  —  they  that  jeopard  the  soul  on 
vanities,  they  that  look  with  scorn  on  the  neediness  of  the 
flesh  —  might  behold  the  riches  of  One  steadfast.  I  would  that 
they  might  know  the  consolation  of  the  righteous  !  L,et  the 
voice  of  thanksgiving  be  heard  in  the  wilderness.  Open  thy 
mouths  in  praise,  that  the  gratitude  of  a  penitent  be  not 
hid  !  " 

As  the  deep  tones  of  the  speaker  ceased,  his  stern  eye 
fell  upon  the  features  of  the  nearest  youth,  and  it  seemed  to 
demand  an  audible  response  to  his  own  lofty  expression  of 
resignation.  But  the  sacrifice  exceeded  the  power  of  the 
individual  to  whom  had  been  made  this  silent  but  intelligible 
appeal.  After  regarding  the  relics  that  lay  at  his  feet,  cast- 
ing a  wandering  glance  at  the  desolation  which  had  swept 


TKRept  of  TKHisb^Uon^Mtsb  199 

over  a  place  his  own  hand  had  helped  to  decorate,  and  receiv- 
ing a  renewed  consciousness  of  his  own  bodily  suffering  in  the 
shooting  pain  of  his  wounds,  the  young  borderer  averted  his 
look,  and  seemed  to  recoil  from  so  officious  a  display  of  sub- 
mission. Observing  his  inability  to  reply,  Mark  continued, — 

''Hath  no  one  a  voice  to  praise  the  Lord?  The  bands  of 
the  heathen  have  fallen  upon  my  herds  ;  the  brand  hath  been 
kindled  within  my  dwellings ;  my  people  have  died  by  the 
violence  of  the  unenlightened,  and  none  are  here  to  say  that 
the  Lord  is  just !  I  would  that  the  shouts  of  thankgiving 
should  arise  in  my  fields  !  I  would  that  the  song  of  praise 
should  grow  louder  than  the  whoop  of  the  savage,  and  that 
all  the  land  might  speak  joy  fulness  !  " 

A  long,  deep  and  expecting  pause  succeeded.  Then  Con- 
tent rejoined,  in  his  quiet  tones,  speaking  firmly,  but  with 
the  modest  utterance  he  rarely  failed  to  use  :  — 

"The  hand  that  hath  held  the  balance  is  just,"  he  said, 
* '  and  we  have  been  found  wanting.  He  that  made  the 
wilderness  blossom  hath  caused  the  ignorant  and  the  barba- 
rous to  be  the  instruments  of  his  will.  He  hath  arrested 
the  season  of  our  prosperity,  that  we  may  know  He  is  the 
Lord.  He  hath  spoken  in  the  whirlwind,  but  his  mercy 
granteth  that  our  ears  shall  know  his  voice." 

As  his  son  ceased,  a  gleam  of  satisfaction  shot  across  the 
countenance  of  the  Puritan.  His  eyes  next  turned  inquir- 
ingly towards  Ruth,  who  sat  among  her  maidens,  the  image 
of  womanly  sorrow.  Common  interest  seemed  to  still  the 
breathing  of  the  little  assembly,  and  sympathy  was  quite  as 
active  as  curiosity,  when  each  one  present  suffered  a  glance  to 
steal  towards  her  benignant  but  pallid  face.  The  eye  of  the 
mother  was  gazing  earnestly,  but  without  a  tear,  on  the  melan- 
choly spectacle  before  her.  It  unconsciously  sought,  among 
the  dried  and  shrivelled  remnants  of  mortality  that  lay  at  her 
feet,  some  relic  of  the  cherub  she  had  lost.  A  shudder  and 
struggle  followed,  after  which  her  gentle  voice  breathed  so 
low  that  those  nearest  her  person  could  scarcely  distinguish 
the  words, — 

1 '  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;  blessed 
be  his  holy  name  !" 


200          TTbe  TKHept  of  Misb^UotWIKIUsb 

' '  Now  know  I  that  He  who  hath  smote  me  is  merciful ; 
for  He  chasteneth  them  Heloveth,"  said  Mark  Heathcote, 
rising  with  dignity  to  address  his  household.  ' '  Our  life  is 
a  life  of  pride.  The  young  are  wont  to  wax  insolent,  while 
he  of  many  years  saith  to  his  own  heart,  '  It  is  good  to  be 
here. '  There  is  a  fearful  mystery  in  One  who  sitteth  on  high. 
The  heavens  are  His  throne,  and  He  hath  created  the  earth 
for  His  footstool.  L,et  not  the  vanity  of  the  weak  of  mind  pre- 
sume to  understand  it ;  for  *  who  that  hath  the  breath  of  life, 
lived  before  the  hills  ? '  The  bonds  of  the  evil  one,  of  Satan, 
and  of  the  sons  of  Belial,  have  been  loosened,  that  the  faith 
of  the  elect  may  be  purified,  that  the  names  of  those  written 
since  the  foundations  of  the  earth  were  laid  may  be  read  in 
letters  of  pure  gold.  The  time  of  man  is  but  a  moment  in 
the  reckoning  of  Him  whose  life  is  eternity — earth  the  habi- 
tation of  a  season  !  The  bones  of  the  bold,  of  the  youthful, 
and  of  the  strong  of  yesterday,  lie  at  our  feet.  None  know 
what  an  hour  may  bring  forth.  In  a  single  night,  my  chil- 
dren, hath  this  been  done.  They  whose  voices  were  heard  in 
my  halls  are  now  speechless,  and  they  who  so  lately  rejoiced 
are  sorrowing.  Yet  hath  this  seeming  evil  been  ordered 
that  good  may  come  thereof.  We  are  dwellers  in  a  wild 
and  distant  land/'  he  continued,  insensibly  permitting  his 
thoughts  to  incline  towards  the  more  mournful  details  of 
their  affliction.  "Our  earthly  home  is  afar  off.  Hither 
have  we  been  led  by  the  flaming  pillar  of  Truth,  and  yet  the 
malice  of  the  persecutors  hath  not  fogotten  to  follow.  One 
houseless,  and  sought  like  the  hunted  deer,  is  again  driven 
to  flee.  We  have  the  canopy  of  the  stars  for  a  roof.  None 
may  tarry  longer  to  worship  secretly  within  our  walls.  But 
the  path  of  the  faithful,  though  full  of  thorns,  leadeth  to 
quiet,  and  the  final  rest  of  the  just  man  can  never  know 
alarm.  He  that  hath  borne  hunger  and  thirst,  and  the  pains 
of  the  flesh,  for  the  sake  of  truth,  knoweth  how  to  be  satisfied; 
nor  will  the  hours  of  bodilu  suffering  be  accounted  weary 
to  him  whose  goal  is  the  peace  of  the  righteous. ' '  The  strong 
lineaments  of  the  stranger  grew  even  more  than  usually 
austere,  and  as  the  Puritan  continued,  the  hand  which  rested 
on  the  handle  of  a  pistol  grasped  the  weapon  until  the  fingers 


Ube  Wept  of  TOteb*Uon*Wtsb          201 

seemed  imbedded  in  the  wood.     He  bowed,  however,  as  if  to 
acknowledge  the  personal  allusion,  and  remained  silent. 

"  If  any  mourn  the  early  death  of  those  who  have  ren- 
dered up  their  being,  struggling,  as  it  may  be  permitted, 
in  behalf  of  life  and  dwelling, ' '  continued  Mark  Heathcote, 
regarding  a  female  near  him,  ' '  let  her  remember,  that  from 
the  beginning  of  the  world  were  his  days  numbered,  and 
that  not  a  sparrow  falleth  without  answering  the  ends  of 
wisdom.  Rather  let  the  fulfilment  of  things  remind  us 
of  the  vanity  of  life,  that  we  may  learn  how  easy  it  is  to 
become  immortal.  If  the  youth  hath  been  cut  down, 
seemingly  like  unripened  grass,  he  hath  fallen  by  the 
sickle  of  One  who  knoweth  best  when  to  begin  the  in- 
gathering of  the  harvest  to  his  eternal  garners.  Though 
a  spirit  bound  unto  his,  as  one  feeble  is  wont  to  lean  on 
the  strength  of  man  and  mourn  over  his  fall,  let  her  sor- 
row be  mingled  with  rejoicing."  A  convulsive  sob  broke 
out  of  the  bosom  of  the  handmaiden  who  was  known  to 
have  been  affianced  to  one  of  the  dead,  and  for  a  moment 
the  address  of  Mark  was  interrupted.  But  when  silence 
again  ensued,  he  continued,  the  subject  leading  him,  by  a 
transition  that  was  natural,  to  allude  to  his  own  sorrows. 
"  Death  hath  been  no  stranger  in  my  habitation,"  he  said. 
* '  His  shaft  fell  heaviest  when  it  struck  her,  who,  like 
those  that  have  here  fallen,  was  in  the  pride  of  her  youth, 
and  when  her  soul  was  glad  with  the  first  joy  of  the  birth 
of  a  man-child  !  Thou  who  sittest  on  high  !  "  he  added, 
turning  a  glazed  and  tearless  eye  to  heaven  ;  ' '  Thou  know- 
est  how  heavy  was  that  blow,  and  Thou  hast  written  down 
the  strivings  of  an  oppressed  soul.  The  burden  was  not 
found  too  heavy  for  endurance.  The  sacrifice  hath  not 
sufficed ;  the  world  was  again  getting  uppermost  in  my 
heart.  Thou  didst  bestow  an  image  of  that  innocence  and 
loveliness  that  dwelleth  in  the  skies,  and  this  hast  Thou 
taken  away,  that  we  might  know  thy  power.  To  this  judg- 
ment we  bow.  If  Thou  hast  called  our  child  to  the  man- 
sions of  bliss,  she  is  wholly  thine,  and  we  presume  not  to 
complain  ;  but  if  Thou  hast  still  left  her  to  wander  further 
in  the  pilgrimage  of  life,  we  comide  in  thy  goodness.  She 


202          Ube  Mept  of 


is  of  a  long-suffering  race,  and  Thou  wilt  not  resign  her  to 
the  blindness  of  the  heathen.  She  is  thine,  she  is  wholly 
thine,  King  of  Heaven  !  and  yet  hast  Thou  permitted  our 
hearts  to  yearn  towards  her,  with  the  fondness  of  earthly 
love.  We  await  some  further  manifestation  of  thy  will, 
that  we  may  know  whether  the  fountains  of  our  affec- 
tion shall  be  dried  in  the  certainty  of  her  blessedness  '  ' 
(scalding  tears  were  rolling  down  the  cheeks  of  the  pallid 
and  immovable  mother)  '  '  or  whether  hope,  nay,  whether 
duty  to  Thee  calleth  for  the  interference  of  those  bound  to 
her  in  the  tenderness  of  the  flesh.  When  the  blow  was 
heaviest  on  the  bruised  spirit  of  a  lone  and  solitary  wan- 
derer, in  a  strange  and  savage  land,  he  held  not  back  the 
offspring  it  was  thy  will  to  grant  him  in  the  place  of  her 
called  to  Thyself;  and  now  that  the  child  hath  become  a 
man,  he  too  layeth,  like  Abraham  of  old,  the  infant  of  his 
love  a  willing  offering  at  thy  feet.  Do  with  it  as  to  thy 
never-failing  wisdom  seemeth  best."  The  words  were  inter- 
rupted by  a  heavy  groan,  that  burst  from  the  chest  of  Con- 
tent. A  deep  silence  ensued,  but  when  the  assembly 
ventured  to  throw  looks  of  sympathy  and  awe  at  the 
bereaved  father,  they  saw  that  he  had  arisen  and  stood  gaz- 
ing steadily  at  the  speaker,  as  if  he  wondered,  equally  with 
the  others,  whence  such  a  sound  of  suffering  could  have 
come.  The  Puritan  renewed  the  subject,  but  his  voice 
faltered,  and  for  an  instant,  as  he  proceeded,  his  hearers 
were  oppressed  with  the  spectacle  of  an  aged  and  dignified 
man  shaken  with  grief.  Conscious  of  his  weakness,  the 
old  man  ceased  speaking  in  exhortation,  and  addressed 
himself  to  prayer.  While  thus  engaged,  his  tones  again 
became  clear,  firm,  and  distinct,  and  the  petition  was  ended 
in  the  midst  of  a  deep  and  holy  calm. 

With  the  performance  of  this  preliminary  office,  the 
simple  ceremony  was  brought  to  its  close.  The  remains 
were  lowered,  in  solemn  silence,  into  the  grave,  and  the  earth 
was  soon  replaced  by  the  young  men.  Mark  Heathcote 
then  invoked  aloud  the  blessing  of  God  on  his  household, 
and  bowing  in  person,  as  he  had  before  done  in  spirit,  to  the 
will  of  Heaven,  he  motioned  to  the  family  to  withdraw. 


Ube  Mept  of  Misb^UotWlHIiteb          203 

The  interview  that  succeeded  was  over  the  resting-place 
of  the  dead.  The  hand  of  the  stranger  was  firmly  clenched 
in  that  of  the  Puritan,  and  the  stern  self-command  of  both 
appeared  to  give  way,  before  the  regrets  of  a  friendship 
that  had  endured  through  so  many  trying  scenes. 

' '  Thou  knowest  that  I  may  not  tarry, ' '  said  the  former, 
as  if  he  replied  to  some  expressed  wish  of  his  companion. 
* '  They  would  make  me  a  sacrifice  to  the  Moloch  of  their 
vanities  ;  and  yet  would  I  fain  abide,  until  the  weight  of 
this  heavy  blow  may  be  forgotten.  I  found  thee  in  peace, 
and  I  quit  thee  in  the  depths  of  suffering  ! ' ' 

"  Thou  distrustest  me,  or  thou  dost  injustice  to  thine 
own  belief,"  interrupted  the  Puritan,  with  a  smile,  that 
shone  on  his  haggard  and  austere  visage  as  the  rays  of  the 
setting  sun  light  a  wintry  cloud.  "  Seemed  I  happier  when 
this  hand  placed  that  of  a  loved  bride  in  mine  own,  than 
thou  now  seest  me  in  this  wilderness,  houseless,  stripped 
of  my  wealth,  and,  God  forgive  the  ingratitude  !  but  I  had 
almost  said,  childless  !  No,  indeed,  thou  mayst  not  tarry, 
for  the  blood-hounds  of  tyranny  will  be  on  their  scent ; 
here  is  shelter  no  longer. ' '  • 

The  eyes  of  both  turned,  by  a  common  and  melancholy 
feeling,  towards  the  ruin  of  the  block.  The  stranger  then 
pressed  the  hand  of  his  friend  in  both  his  own,  and  said  in 
a  struggling  voice, — 

* '  Mark  Heathcote,  adieu  !  He  that  had  a  roof  for  the 
persecuted  wanderer  shall  not  long  be  houseless ;  neither 
shall  the  resigned  forever  know  sorrow." 

His  words  sounded  in  the  ears  of  his  companion  like  the 
revelation  of  a  prophecy.  They  again  pressed  their  hands 
together,  and,  regarding  each  other  with  looks  in  which 
kindness  could  not  be  altogether  smothered  by  the  repul- 
sive character  of  an  acquired  air,  they  parted.  The  Puri- 
tan slowly  took  his  way  to  the  dreary  shelter  which  covered 
his  family  ;  while  the  stranger  was  shortly  after  seen  urg- 
ing the  beast  he  had  mounted  across  the  pastures  of  the 
valley,  towards  one  of  the  most  retired  paths  of  the  wilder- 
ness. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

"  Together  towards  the  village  then  we  walked, 
And  of  old  friends  and  places  much  we  talked ; 
And  who  had  died,  who  left  them,  would  he  tell ; 
And  who  still  in  their  father's  mansion  dwell. " 

DANA. 

WE  leave  the  imagination  of  the  reader  to  sup- 
ply an  interval  of  several  years.  Before  the 
thread  of  the  narrative  shall  be  resumed,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  take  another  hasty  view 
of  the  condition  of  the  country  in  which  the  scene  of  our 
legend  had  place. 

The  exertions  of  the  provincials  were  no  longer  limited 
to  the  first  efforts  of  a  colonial  existence.  The  establish- 
ments of  New  England  had  passed  the  ordeal  of  experi- 
ment, and  were  become  permanent.  Massachusetts  was 
already  populous  ;  and  Connecticut,  the  colony  with  which 
we  have  more  immediate  connection,  was  sufficiently  peopled 
to  manifest  a  portion  of  that  enterprise  which  has  since 
made  her  active  little  community  so  remarkable.  The 
effects  of  these  increased  exertions  were  becoming  exten- 
sively visible  ;  and  we  shall  endeavor  to  set  one  of  these 
changes,  as  distinctly  as  our  feeble  powers  will  allow,  before 
the  eyes  of  those  who  read  these  pages. 

When  compared  with  the  progress  of  society  in  the  other 
hemisphere,  the  condition  of  what  is  called  in  America  a 
new  settlement  becomes  anomalous.  There,  the  arts  of  life 
have  been  the  fruits  of  an  intelligence  that  has  progressively 
accumulated  with  the  advancement  of  civilization  ;  while 
here,  improvement  is  in  a  great  degree  the  consequence  of 
experience  elsewhere  acquired.  Necessity,  prompted  by  an 

204 


TTbe  TKftept  of  TKHtsb^on^lKIlisb          205 

understanding  of  its  wants,  incited  by  a  commendable  spirit 
of  emulation,  and  encouraged  by  liberty,  early  gave  birth  to 
those  improvements  which  have  converted  a  wilderness  into 
the  abodes  of  abundance  and  security,  with  a  rapidity  that 
wears  the  appearance  of  magic.  Industry  has  wrought 
with  the  confidence  of  knowledge,  and  the  result  has  been 
peculiar. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  in  a  country  where 
the  laws  favor  all  commendable  enterprise,  where  unneces- 
sary artificial  restrictions  are  unknown,  and  where  the  hand 
of  man  has  not  yet  exhausted  its  efforts,  the  adventurer  is 
allowed  the  greatest  freedom  of  choice  in  selecting  the  field 
of  his  enterprise.  The  agriculturist  passes  the  heath  and 
the  barren,  to  seat  himself  on  the  river-bottom  ;  the  trader 
looks  for  the  site  of  demand  and  supply ;  and  the  artisan 
quits  his  native  village  to  seek  employment  in  situations 
where  labor  will  meet  its  fullest  reward.  It  is  a  conse- 
quence of  this  extraordinary  freedom  of  election,  that,  while 
the  great  picture  of  American  society  has  been  sketched 
with  so  much  boldness,  a  large  portion  of  the  filling-up  still 
remains  to  be  done.  The  emigrant  has  consulted  his  imme- 
diate interests  ;  and,  while  no  very  extensive  and  profitable 
territory  throughout  the  whole  of  our  immense  possessions 
has  been  wholly  neglected,  neither  has  any  particular  district 
yet  attained  the  finish  of  improvement.  The  city  is  even 
now  seen  in  the  wilderness,  and  the  wilderness  often  con- 
tinues near  the  city,  while  the  latter  is  sending  forth  its 
swarms  to  distant  scenes  of  industry.  After  thirty  years  of 
fostering  care  on  the  part  of  the  government,  the  capital 
itself  presents  its  disjointed  and  sickly  villages  in  the  centre 
of  the  deserted  "  old  fields"  of  Maryland,  while  numberless 
youthful  rivals  are  flourishing  on  the  waters  of  the  West, 
in  spots  where  the  bear  has  ranged  and  the  wolf  howled, 
long  since  the  former  has  been  termed  a  city. 

Thus  it  is  that  high  civilization,  a  state  of  infant  ex- 
istence, and  positive  barbarity,  are  often  brought  so  near 
each  other  within  the  borders  of  this  republic.  The  trav- 
eller, who  has  passed  the  night  in  an  inn  that  would  not 
disgrace  the  oldest  country  in  Europe,  may  be  compelled  to 


206          Ube  Tixaept  of 


dine  in  the  shanty  '  of  a  hunter  ;  the  smooth  and  gravelled 
road  sometimes  ends  in  an  impassable  swamp  ;  the  spires 
of  the  town  are  often  hid  by  the  branches  of  a  tangled  forest, 
and  the  canal  leads  to  a  seemingly  barren  and  unprofitable 
mountain.  He  that  does  not  return  to  see  what  another 
year  may  bring  forth  commonly  bears  away  from  these 
scenes  recollections  that  conduce  to  error.  To  see  America 
with  the  eyes  of  truth,  it  is  necessary  to  look  often  ; 
and  in  order  to  understand  the  actual  condition  of  these 
States,  it  should  be  remembered  that  it  is  equally  unjust  to 
believe  that  all  the  intermediate  points  partake  of  the  im- 
provements of  particular  places,  as  to  infer  the  want  of 
civilization  at  more  remote  establishments,  from  a  few  unfa- 
vorable facts  gleaned  near  the  centre.  By  an  accidental 
concurrence  of  moral  and  physical  causes,  much  of  that 
equality  which  distinguishes  the  institutions  of  the  country 
is  extended  to  the  progress  of  society  over  its  whole  surface. 

Although  the  impetus  of  improvement  was  not  so  great  in 
the  time  of  Mark  Heathcote  as  in  our  own  days,  the  princi- 
ple of  its  power  was  actively  in  existence.  Of  this  fact  we 
shall  furnish  a  sufficient  evidence,  by  pursuing  our  intention 
of  describing  one  of  those  changes  to  which  allusion  has 
already  been  made. 

The  reader  will  remember  that  the  age  of  which  we  write 
had  advanced  into  the  last  quarter  of  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury. The  precise  moment  at  which  the  action  of  the  tale 
must  recommence  was  that  period  of  the  day  when  the 
gray  of  twilight  was  redeeming  objects  from  the  deep 
darkness  with  which  the  night  draws  to  its  close.  The 
month  was  June,  and  the  scene  such  as  it  may  be  necessary 
to  describe  with  some  particularity. 

Had  there  been  light,  and  had  one  been  favorably  placed 

1  Shanty,  or  Shaniee,  is  a  word  much  used  in  the  newer  settle- 
ments. It  strictly  means  a  rude  cabin  of  bark  or  brush,  such  as  is 
often  erected  in  the  forest  for  temporary  purposes.  But  the  borderers 
often  quaintly  apply  it  to  their  own  habitations.  The  only  derivation 
which  the  writer  has  heard  for  this  American  word  is  one  that  sup- 
poses it  to  be  a  corruption  of  Chientt,  a  term  said  to  be  used  among 
the  Canadians  to  express  a  dog-kennel. 


Ube  Mept  of  Mf5b*zron*Wteb          207 

to  enjoy  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the  spot,  he  would  have  seen 
a  broad  and  undulating  field  of  leafy  forest,  in  which  the 
various  deciduous  trees  of  New  England  were  relieved  by 
the  deeper  verdure  of  occasional  masses  of  evergreens.  In 
the  centre  of  this  swelling  and  nearly  interminable  outline 
of  woods  was  a  valley  that  spread  between  three  low 
mountains.  Over  the  bottom  land,  for  the  distance  of  sev- 
eral miles,  all  the  signs  of  a  settlement  in  a  state  of  rapid 
and  prosperous  improvement  were  visible.  The  devious 
course  of  a  deep  and  swift  brook,  that  in  the  other  hemi* 
sphere  would  have  been  termed  a  river,  was  to  be  traced 
through  the  meadows  by  its  borders  of  willow  and  sumach. 
At  a  point  near  the  centre  of  the  valley  the  waters  had  been 
arrested  by  a  small  dam  ;  and  a  mill,  whose  wheel  at  that 
early  hour  was  without  motion,  stood  on  the  artificial 
mound.  Near  it  was  the  site  of  a  New  England  hamlet. 

The  number  of  dwellings  in  the  village  might  have  been 
forty.  They  were,  as  usual,  constructed  of  a  firm  frame- 
work, neatly  covered  with  sidings  of  boards.  There  was 
a  surprising  air  of  equality  in  the  general  aspect  of  the 
houses  ;  and,  if  there  were  question  of  any  country  but  our 
own,  it  might  be  added  there  was  an  unusual  appearance 
of  comfort  and  abundance  in  even  the  humblest  of  them 
all.  They  were  mostly  of  two  low  stories,  the  superior 
overhanging  the  inferior  by  a  foot  or  two  ;  a  mode  of  con- 
struction much  in  use  in  the  earlier  days  of  the  Eastern 
colonies.  As  paint  was  but  little  used  at  that  time,  none 
of  the  buildings  exhibited  a  color  different  from  that  the 
wood  would  naturally  assume  after  the  exposure  of  a  few 
years  to  the  weather.  Each  had  its  single  chimney  in  the 
centre  of  the  roof,  and  but  two  or  three  showed  more  than 
a  solitary  window  on  each  side  of  the  principal  or  outer 
door.  In  front  of  every  dwelling  was  a  small,  neat  court, 
in  green  sward,  separated  from  the  public  road  by  a  light 
fence  of  deal.  Double  rows  of  young  and  vigorous  elms 
lined  each  side  of  the  wide  street,  while  an  enormous  syca- 
more still  kept  possession  of  the  spot  in  its  centre  which  it 
had  occupied  when  the  white  man  entered  the  forest.  Be- 
neath the  shade  of  this  tree  the  inhabitants  often  collected 


208          Ube  mept  of 


to  gather  tidings  of  each  other's  welfare,  or  to  listen  to  some 
matter  of  interest  that  rumor  had  borne  from  the  towns 
nearer  the  sea.  A  narrow  and  little-used  wheel-track  ran 
with  a  graceful  and  sinuous  route  through  the  centre  of  the 
wide  and  grassy  street.  Reduced  in  appearance  to  little 
more  than  a  bridle-path,  it  was  to  be  traced  without  the 
hamlet,  between  high  fences  of  wood,  for  a  mile  or  two,  to 
the  points  where  it  entered  the  forest.  Here  and  there 
roses  were  pressing  through  the  openings  of  the  fences  be- 
fore the  doors  of  the  different  habitations,  and  bushes  of 
fragrant  lilacs  stood  in  the  angles  of  most  of  the  courts. 

The  dwellings  were  detached.  Bach  occupied  its  own 
insulated  plot  of  ground,  with  a  garden  in  its  rear.  The  out- 
buildings were  thrown  to  that  distance  which  the  cheapness  of 
land  and  security  from  fire  rendered  both  easy  and  expedient. 

The  church  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  highway,  and  near 
one  end  of  the  hamlet.  In  the  exterior  and  ornaments  of 
the  imported  temple,  the  taste  of  the  times  had  been  fas- 
tidiously consulted,  its  form  and  simplicity  furnishing  no 
slight  resemblance  to  the  self-denying  doctrines  and  quaint 
humors  of  the  religionists  who  worshipped  beneath  its  roof. 
The  building,  like  all  the  rest,  was  of  wood,  and  externally 
of  two  stories.  It  possessed  a  tower,  without  a  spire  — 
the  former  alone  serving  to  denote  its  sacred  character. 
In  the  construction  of  this  edifice,  especial  care  had  been 
taken  to  eschew  all  deviations  from  direct  lines  and  right 
angles.  Those  narrow-arched  passages  for  the  admission 
of  light  that  are  elsewhere  so  common  were  then  thought 
by  the  stern  moralists  of  New  England  to  have  some  mys- 
terious connection  with  her  of  the  scarlet  mantle.  The 
priest  would  as  soon  have  thought  of  appearing  before  his 
flock  in  the  vanities  of  stole  and  cassock,  as  the  congrega- 
tion of  admitting  the  repudiated  ornaments  into  the  outline 
of  their  severe  architecture.  Had  the  Genii  of  the  Lamp 
suddenly  exchanged  the  windows  of  the  sacred  edifice  with 
those  of  the  inn  that  stood  nearly  opposite,  the  closest  critic 
of  the  settlement  could  never  have  detected  the  liberty, 
since,  in  the  form,  dimensions,  and  style  of  the  two,  there 
was  no  visible  difference. 


Mept  of  Wteb^on^Mteb          209 

A  little  inclosure  at  no  great  distance  from  the  church, 
and  on  one  side  of  the  street,  had  been  set  apart  for  the  final 
resting-place  of  those  who  had  finished  their  race  on  earth. 
It  contained  but  a  solitary  grave. 

The  inn  was  to  be  distinguished  from  the  surrounding 
buildings  by  its  superior  size,  an  open  horse-shed,  and  a 
sort  of  protruding  air  with  which  it  thrust  itself  on  the 
line  of  the  street,  as  if  to  invite  the  traveller  to  enter.  A 
sign  swung  on  a  gallows-looking  post,  that,  in  consequence 
of  frosty  nights  and  warm  days,  had  already  deviated  from 
the  perpendicular.  It  bore  a  conceit  that  at  the  first  glance 
might  have  gladdened  the  heart  of  a  naturalist  with  the 
belief  that  he  had  made  the  discovery  of  some  unknown 
bird.  The  artist,  however,  had  sufficiently  provided  against 
the  consequences  of  so  embarrassing  a  blunder,  by  consid- 
erately writing  beneath  the  offspring  of  his  pencil,  "This 
is  the  sign  of  the  Whip-Poor- Will ;  "  a  name  that  the  most 
unlettered  traveller  in  those  regions  would  be  likely  to 
know  was  vulgarly  given  to  the  Wish-Ton-Wish,  or  the 
American  night-hawk. 

But  few  relics  of  the  forest  remained  immediately  around 
the  hamlet.  The  trees  had  long  been  felled,  and  sufficient 
time  had  elapsed  to  remove  most  of  the  vestiges  of  their 
former  existence.  But  as  the  eye  receded  from  the  cluster 
of  buildings,  the  signs  of  more  recent  inroads  on  the  wil- 
derness became  apparent,  until  the  view  terminated  with 
openings,  in  which  piled  logs  and  mazes  of  felled  trees 
announced  the  recent  use  of  the  axe. 

At  that  early  day,  the  American  husbandman,  like  the 
agriculturists  of  most  of  Europe,  dwelt  in  his  village.  The 
dread  of  violence  from  the  savages  had  given  rise  to  a  cus- 
tom similar  to  that  which  centuries  before  had  been  pro- 
duced in  the  other  hemisphere  by  the  inroads  of  more 
pretending  barbarians,  and  which,  with  few  and  distant 
exceptions,  has  deprived  rural  scenery  of  a  charm  that,  it 
would  seem,  time  and  a  better  condition  of  society  are  slow 
to  repair.  Some  remains  of  this  ancient  practice  are  still  to 
be  traced  in  the  portion  of  the  Union  of  which  we  write, 
where  even  at  this  day  the  farmfer  often'  quits  the  village  to 


2io          Ube  Wept  of 


seek  his  scattered  fields  in  its  neighborhood.  Still,  as  man 
has  never  been  the  subject  of  a  system  here,  and  as  each 
individual  has  always  had  the  liberty  of  consulting  his  own 
temper,  bolder  spirits  early  began  to  break  through  a  prac- 
tice by  which  quite  as  much  was  lost  in  convenience  as  was 
gained  in  security.  Even  in  the  scene  we  have  been  de- 
scribing, ten  or  twelve  humble  habitations  were  distributed 
among  the  recent  clearings  on  the  side  of  the  mountains, 
and  in  situations  too  remote  to  promise  much  security  against 
any  sudden  inroad  of  the  common  enemy. 

For  general  protection,  in  cases  of  the  last  extremity, 
however,  a  stockaded  dwelling,  not  unlike  that  which  we 
have  had  occasion  to  describe  in  our  earlier  pages,  stood 
in  a  convenient  spot  near  the  hamlet.  Its  defences  were 
stronger  and  more  elaborate  than  usual,  the  pickets  being 
furnished  with  flanking  block-houses  ;  and,  in  other  respects, 
the  building  bore  the  aspect  of  a  work  equal  to  any  resist- 
ance that  might  be  required  in  the  warfare  of  those  regions. 
The  ordinary  habitation  of  the  priest  was  within  its  gates  ;  and 
hither  most  of  the  sick  were  timely  conveyed,  in  order  to  antici- 
pate the  necessity  of  removals  at  more  inconvenient  moments. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  tell  the  American,  that  heavy 
wooden  fences  subdivided  the  whole  of  this  little  landscape 
into  inclosures  of  some  eight  or  ten  acres  in  extent  ;  that, 
here  and  there,  cattle  and  flocks  were  grazing  without 
herdsmen  or  shepherds,  and  that  while  the  fields  nearest  to 
the  dwellings  were  beginning  to  assume  the  appearance  of  a 
careful  and  improved  husbandry,  those  more  remote  became 
gradually  wilder  and  less  cultivated,  until  the  half-reclaimed 
openings,  with  their  blackened  stubs  and  barked  trees,  were 
blended  with  the  gloom  of  the  living  forest.  These  are  more 
or  less  the  accompaniments  of  every  rural  scene  in  districts 
of  the  country  where  time  has  not  yet  effected  more  than  the 
first  two  stages  of  improvement. 

At  the  distance  of  a  short  half  mile  from  the  fortified  house, 
or  garrison,  as  by  a  singular  corruption  of  terms  the  stock- 
aded building  was  called,  stood  a  dwelling  of  pretensions 
altogether  superior  to  any  in  the  hamlet.  The  buildings  in 
question,  though  simple,  were  extensive  ;  and  though  scarcely 


Ube  Mept  of  Misb^EotVlKIlisb          211 


other  than  such  as  might  belong  to  an  agriculturist  in  easy 
circumstances,  still  they  were  remarkable  in  that  settlement, 
by  the  comforts  which  time  alone  could  accumulate,  and 
some  of  which  denoted  an  advanced  condition  for  a  frontier 
family.  In  short,  there  was  an  air  about  the  establishment, 
as  in  the  disposition  of  its  out-buildings,  in  the  superior 
workmanship,  in  the  materials,  and  in  numberless  other  well- 
known  circumstances,  which  went  to  show  that  the  whole  of 
the  edifices  were  reconstructions.  The  fields  near  this  habi- 
tation exhibited  smoother  surfaces  than  those  in  the  distance. 
The  fences  were  lighter  and  less  rude ;  the  stumps  had 
absolutely  disappeared ;  and  the  gardens  and  homesteads 
were  well  planted  with  flourishing  fruit-trees.  A  conical 
eminence  arose  at  a  short  distance  in  the  rear  of  the  principal 
dwelling.  It  was  covered  with  that  beautiful  and  peculiar 
ornament  of  an  American  farm,  a  regular,  thrifty,  and  lux- 
uriant apple-orchard.  Still,  age  had  not  given  its  full  beauty 
to  the  plantation,  which  might  have  had  a  growth  of  some 
eight  or  ten  years.  A  blackened  tower  of  stone,  which 
sustained  the  charred  ruins  of  a  superstructure  of  wood, 
though  of  no  great  height  in  itself,  rose  above  the  tallest  of 
the  trees,  and  stood  a  sufficient  memorial  of  some  scene 
of  violence  in  the  brief  history  of  the  valley.  There  was 
also  a  small  block-house  near  the  habitation  ;  but,  by  the 
air  of  neglect  that  reigned  around,  it  was  quite  apparent  the 
little  work  had  been  of  a  hurried  construction,  and  of  but 
temporary  use.  A  few  young  plantations  of  fruit-trees 
were  also  to  be  seen  in  different  parts  of  the  valley,  which 
was  beginning  to  exhibit  many  other  evidences  of  an  im- 
proved agriculture. 

So  far  as  all  these  artificial  changes  went,  they  were  of 
an  English  character.  But  it  was  England  devoid  alike  of 
its  luxury  and  its  poverty,  and  with  a  superfluity  of  space 
that  gave  to  the  meanest  habitation  in  the  view  an  air  of 
abundance  and  comfort  that  is  so  often  wanting  about  the 
dwellings  of  the  comparatively  rich,  in  countries  where  man 
is  found  bearing  a  far  greater  numerical  proportion  to  the 
soil  than  was  then,  or  is  even  now  the  case,  in  the  regions 
of  which  we  write. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

"  Come  hither,  neighbor  Sea-coal — God  hath  blessed  you  with  a  good 
name  :  to  be  a  well-favored  man  is  the  gift  of  fortune  ;  but  to  write 
and  read  comes  by  Nature." 

Much  Ado  About  Nothing. 

IT  has  already  been  said,  that  the  hour  at  which  the 
action  of  the  tale  must  recommence  was  early  morn- 
ing.    The  usual  coolness  of  night,  in  a  country  ex- 
tensively covered  with    wood,  had  passed,  and  the 
warmth  of  a  summer  morning,  in  that  low  latitude,    was 
causing  the  streaks  of  light  vapor,  that  floated  about  the 
meadows,  to  rise  above  the  trees.     The  feathery  patches 
united  to  form  a  cloud  that  sailed  away  towards  the  sum- 
mit of  a  distant  mountain,  which  appeared  to  be  a  common 
rendezvous  for  all  the  mists  that  had  been  generated  by  the 
past  hours  of  darkness. 

Though  the  burnished  sky  announced  his  near  approach, 
the  sun  was  not  yet  visible.  Notwithstanding  the  earliness 
of  the  hour,  a  man  was  already  mounting  a  little  ascent  in 
the  road,  at  no  great  distance  from  the  southern  entrance 
of  the  hamlet,  and  at  a  point  where  he  could  command  a 
view  of  all  the  objects  described  in  the  preceding  chapter. 
A  musket  thrown  across  his  left  shoulder,  with  the  horn 
and  pouch  at  his  sides,  together  with  the  little  wallet  at  his 
back,  proclaimed  him  one  who  had  either  been  engaged  in 
a  hunt,  or  in  some  short  expedition  of  even  a  less  peaceable 
character.  His  dress  was  of  the  usual  material  and  fashion 
of  a  countryman  of  the  age  and  colony,  though  a  short 
broadsword,  that  was  thrust  through  a  wampum  belt  which 
girded  his  body,  might  have  attracted  observation.  In  all 
other  respects,  he  had  the  air  of  an  inhabitant  of  the  hamlet, 

312 


Mept  of  Mtsb^on^TOfsb          213 

who  had  found  occasion  to  quit  his  abode  on  some  affair  of 
pleasure  or  of  duty,  that  had  made  no  very  serious  demand 
on  his  time. 

Whether  native  or  stranger,  few  ever  passed  the  hillock 
named,  without  pausing  to  gaze  at  the  quiet  loveliness  of 
the  cluster  of  houses  that  lay  in  full  view  from  its  summit. 
The  individual  mentioned  loitered  as  usual,  but,  instead  of 
following  the  line  of  the  path,  his  eye  rather  sought  some 
object  in  the  direction  of  the  fields.  Moving  leisurely  to 
the  nearest  fence,  he  threw  down  the  upper  rails  of  a  pair  of 
bars,  and  beckoned  to  a  horseman,  who  was  picking  his  way 
across  a  broken  bit  of  pasture  land,  to  enter  the  highway 
by  the  passage  he  had  opened. 

"Put  the  spur  smartly  into  the  pacer's  flank,"  said  he 
who  had  done  this  act  of  civility,  observing  that  the  other 
hesitated  to  urge  his  beast  across  the  irregular  and  some- 
what scattered  pile;  "my  word  for  it,  the  jade  goes  over 
them  all,  without  touching  with  more  than  three  of  her  four 
feet.  Fie,  doctor !  there  is  never  a  cow  in  the  Wish-Ton- 
Wish,  but  it  would  take  the  leap  to  be  in  the  first  at  the 
milking." 

"Softly,  ensign,"  returned  the  timid  equestrian,  laying 
the  emphasis  on  the  final  syllable  of  his  companion's  title, 
and  pronouncing  the  first  as  if  it  were  spelt  with  the  third 
instead  of  the  second  vowel.  "  Thy  courage  is  meet  for  one 
set  apart  for  deeds  of  valor,  but  it  would  be  a  sorrowful  day 
when  the  ailing  of  the  valley  should  knock  at  my  door,  and 
a  broken  limb  be  made  the  apology  for  want  of  succor.  Thy 
efforts  will  not  avail  thee,  man  ;  for  the  mare  hath  had 
schooling,  as  well  as  her  master.  I  have  trained  the  beast 
to  methodical  habits,  and  she  hath  come  to  have  a  rooted 
dislike  to  all  irregularities  of  movement.  So,  cease  tugging 
at  the  rein,  as  if  thou  wouldst  compel  her  to  pass  the  pile 
in  spite  of  her  teeth,  and  throw  down  the  upper  bar  al- 
together." 

' '  A  doctor  in  these  rugged  parts  should  be  mounted  on 
one  of  those  ambling  birds  of  which  we  read, ' '  said  the  other, 
removing  the  obstacle  to  the  secure  passage  of  his  friend  ; 
"  for  truly  a  journey  at  night,*  in  the  paths  of  these  clear- 


214  ^be  TKHept  of 


ings,  is  not  always  as  safe  moving  as  that  which  is  said  to  be 
enjoyed  by  the  settlers  nearer  sea." 

'  '  And  where  hast  found  mention  of  a  bird  of  a  size  and 
velocity  fit  to  be  the  bearer  of  the  weight  of  a  man  ?  '  '  de- 
manded he  who  was  \noi  r  ^d,  with  r.  vivacity  that  betrayed 
some  jealousy  on  the  su  ect  of  a  monopoly  of  learning.  I 
had  thought,  there  was  never  a  book  in  the  valley,  out  of 
mine  own  closet,  that  dealeth  in  these  abstrusities  !  '  ' 

'  '  Dost  think  the  scriptures  are  strangers  to  us  ?  There  — 
thou  art  now  in  the  public  path,  and  thy  journey  is  without 
danger.  It  is  matter  of  marvel  to  many  in  this  settlement, 
how  thou  movest  about  at  midnight,  amongst  upturned 
roots  of  trees,  holes,  logs,  and  stumps,  without  falling  —  '  ' 

"  I  have  told  thee,  ensign,  it  is  by  virtue  of  much  training 
given  to  the  beast.  Certain  am  I,  that  neither  whip  nor 
spur  would  compel  the  animal  to  pass  the  bounds  of  discre- 
tion. Often  have  I  travelled  this  bridle-path,  without  fear 
as  in  truth  without  danger,  when  sight  was  a  sense  of  as 
little  use  as  that  of  smelling." 

'  '  I  was  about  to  say  falling  into  thine  own  hands,  which 
would  be  a  tumble  of  little  less  jeopardy  than  even  that  of 
the  wicked  spirits." 

The  medical  man  affected  to  laugh  at  his  companion's 
joke  ;  but,  remembering  the  dignity  suited  to  one  of  his 
calling,  he  immediately  resumed  the  discourse  with  grav- 
ity :- 

"  These  may  be  matters  of  levity  with  those  who  know 
little  of  the  hardships  that  are  endured  in  the  practice  of  the 
settlements.  Here  have  I  been  on  yonder  mountain,  guided 
by  the  instinct  of  my  horse  —  " 

"  Ha  !  hath  there  been  a  call  at  the  dwelling  of  my 
brother  Ring  ?  '  '  demanded  the  pedestrian,  observing,  by  the 
direction  of  the  other's  eye,  the  road  he  had  been  travel- 
ling. 

'  '  Truly,  there  hath  ;  and  at  the  unseasonable  hour  that 
is  wont  in  a  very  unreasonable  proportion  of  the  cases  of  my 
practice." 

"  And  Reuben  numbereth  another  boy  to  the  four  that  he 
could  count  yesterday  ?  '  ' 


Ube  Wept  of  Wisb^ZTotWGXliisb          215 

The  medical  man  held  up  three  of  his  fingers,  in  a  signifi- 
cant manner,  as  he  nodded  assent. 

4 '  This  putteth  Faith  something  in  arrears, ' '  returned  he 
who  has  been  called  ensign,  and  who  was  no  other  than  the 
reader's  old  acquaintance  Kben  Dudley,  preferred  to  that 
station  in  the  train-band  of  the  valley.  *  *  The  heart  of  my 
brother  Reuben  will  be  gladdened  by  these  tidings  when  he 
shall  return  from  the  scout. ' ' 

''There  will  be  occasion  for  thankfulness,  since  he  will 
find  seven  beneath  a  roof  where  he  left  but  four  !  ' ' 

"  I  will  close  the  bargain  with  the  young  captain  for  the 
mountain  lot  this  very  day!"  muttered  Dudley,  like  one 
suddenly  convinced  of  the  prudence  of  a  long-debated  meas- 
ure. "Seven  pounds  of  the  colony  money  is  no  usurer's 
price,  after  all,  for  a  hundred  acres  of  heavily-timbered 
land  ;  and  they  in  full  view  of  a  settlement  where  boys  come 
three  at  a  time  ! ' ' 

The  equestrian  stopped  his  horse,  and  regarding  his  com- 
panion intently  and  with  a  significant  air,  he  answered, — 

' '  Thou  hast  now  fallen  on  the  clue  of  an  important  mys- 
tery, Ensign  Dudley.  This  continent  was  created  with  a 
design.  The  fact  is  apparent  by  its  riches,  its  climate,  its 
magnitude,  its  facilities  of  navigation,  and  chiefly  in  that  it 
hath  been  left  undiscovered  until  the  advanced  condition  of 
society  hath  given  opportunity  and  encouragement  to  men 
of  a  certain  degree  of  merit  to  adventure  in  its  behalf. 
Consider,  neighbor,  the  wonderful  progress  it  hath  already 
made  in  the  arts  and  in  learning,  in  reputation  and  in  re- 
sources, and  thou  wilt  agree  with  me  in  the  conclusion  that 
all  this  hath  been  done  with  a  design." 

'  'T  would  be  presuming  to  doubt  it ;  for  he  hath  indeed 
a  short  memory  to  whom  it  shall  be  necessary  to  recall  the 
time  when  this  very  valley  was  little  other  than  a  den  for 
beasts  of  prey,  and  their  beaten  highway  a  deer- track.  Dost 
think  that  Reuben  will  be  like  to  raise  the  whole  of  the  recent 
gift?" 

"  With  judgment,  and  by  the  blessing  of  Providence.  The 
mind  is  active,  Ensign  Dudley,  when  the  body  is  journey- 
ing among  the  forests ;  and  much  have  my  thoughts  been 


216          Ube  Wept  of 


exercised  in  this  matter,  whilst  thou  and  others  have  been 
in  your  slumbers.  Here  have  we  the  colonies  in  their  first 
century,  and  yet  thou  knowest  to  what  a  pass  of  improve- 
ment they  have  arrived.  They  tell  me  the  Hartford  settle- 
ment is  getting  to  be  apportioned  like  the  towns  of  mother 
England,  that  there  is  reason  to  think  the  day  may  come 
when  the  provinces  shall  have  a  power,  and  a  convenience  of 
culture  and  communication,  equalling  that  which  belongeth 
to  some  parts  of  the  venerable  island  itself  !  '  ' 

4  'Nay,  nay,  Dr.  Ergot,"  returned  the  other  with  an  in- 
credulous smile,  *  '  that  is  exceeding  the  bounds  of  a  dis- 
cretionable  expectation." 

"  Thou  wilt  remember  that  I  said  equalling  to  certain 
parts.  I  think  we  may  justly  imagine,  that  ere  many  cen- 
turies shall  elapse,  there  may  be  millions  counted  in  these 
regions,  and  truly  that,  too,  where  one  seeth  naught  at 
present  but  the  savage  and  the  beast." 

*  {  I  will  go  with  any  man,  in  this  question,  as  far  as  rea- 
son will  justify  ;  but  doubtless  thou  hast  read  in  the  books 
uttered  by  writers  over  sea  the  matters  concerning  the  con- 
dition of  those  countries,  wherein  it  is  plain  that  we  may 
never  hope  to  reach  the  exalted  excellence  they  enjoy." 

"  Neighbor  Dudley,  thou  seemest  disposed  to  push  an 
unguarded  expression  to  extremity.  I  said  equalling  cer- 
tain parts,  meaning  always,  too,  in  certain  things.  Now  it 
is  known  in  philosophy,  that  the  stature  of  man  hath  de- 
generated, and  must  degenerate  in  these  regions,  in  obedi- 
ence to  established  laws  of  nature  ;  therefore  it  is  meet 
that  allowance  should  be  made  for  some  deficiency  in  less 
material  qualities.  '  ' 

'  '  It  is  like,  then,  that  the  better  sort  of  the  men  over  sea 
are  ill-disposed  to  quit  their  country,"  returned  the  ensign, 
glancing  an  eye  of  some  unbelief  along  the  muscular  pro- 
portions of  his  own  vigorous  frame.  '  '  We  have  no  less  than 
three  from  the  old  countries  in  our  village,  here,  and  yet  I 
do  not  find  them  men  like  to  have  been  sought  for  at  the 
building  of  Babel." 

'  '  This  is  settling  a  knotty  and  learned  point  by  the  evi- 
dence of  a  few  shallow  exceptions.  I  presume  to  tell  you, 


Mept  of  Misb^on^Wfsb          217 

Ensign  Dudley,  that  the  science,  and  wisdom,  and  philoso- 
phy of  Europe,  have  been  exceeding  active  in  this  matter ; 
and  they  have  proved  to  their  own  perfect  satisfaction 
which  is  the  same  thing  as  disposing  of  the  question  without 
appeal,  that  man  and  beast,  plant  and  tree,  hill  and  dale, 
lake  and  pond,  sun,  air,  fire,  and  water,  are  all  wanting  in 
some  of  the  perfectness  of  the  older  regions.  I  respect  a 
patriotic  sentiment,  and  can  carry  the  disposition  to  ap- 
plaud the  bounties  received  from  the  hands  of  a  beneficent 
Creator  as  far  as  any  man ;  but  that  which  hath  been 
demonstrated  by  science,  or  collected  by  learning,  is  placed 
too  far  beyond  the  objections  of  light-minded  cavillers,  to  be 
doubted  by  graver  faculties. ' ' 

* '  I  shall  not  contend  against  things  that  are  proven, ' '  re- 
turned Dudley,  who  was  quite  as  meek  in  discussion  as  he 
was  powerful  and  active  in  more  physical  contests  ;  '  *  since 
it  needs  be  that  the  learning  of  men  in  the  old  countries 
must  have  an  exceeding  excellence  in  virtue  of  its  great 
age.  It  would  be  a  visit  to  remember,  should  some  of  its 
rare  advantages  be  dispersed  in  these  our  own  youthful 
regions  ! ' ' 

' '  And  can  it  be  said  that  our  mental  wants  have  been 
forgotten — that  the  nakedness  of  the  mind  hath  been  suf- 
fered to  go  without  its  comely  vestment,  neighbor  Dudley  ? 
To  me  it  seemeth  that  therein  we  have  unwonted  reason 
to  rejoice,  and  that  the  equilibrium  of  nature  is  in  a  manner 
restored  by  the  healing  exercises  of  art.  It  is  unseemly 
in  an  unenlightened  province  to  insist  on  qualities  that 
have  been  discreetly  disproven ;  but  learning  is  a  transfer- 
able and  communicable  gift,  and  it  is  meet  to  affirm  that 
it  is  to  be  found  here  in  quantities  adapted  to  the  wants 
of  the  colony." 

"  I  '11  not  gainsay  it,  for  having  been  more  of  an  adven- 
turer in  the  forest  than  one  who  hath  travelled  in  quest  of 
sights  among  the  settlements  along  the  sea-shore,  it  may 
happen  that  many  things  are  to  be  seen  there,  of  which  my 
poor  abilities  have  formed  no  opinion." 

' '  And  are  we  utterly  unenlightened,  even  in  this  distant 
valley,  ensign?  "  returned  the  Jeech,  leaning  over  the  neck 


TKIlept  of 


of  his  horse,  and  addressing  his  companion  in  a  mild  and 
persuasive  tone,  that  he  had  probably  acquired  in  his  exten- 
sive practice  among  the  females  of  the  settlement.  "Are 
we  to  be  classed  with  the  heathen  in  knowledge,  or  to  be 
accounted  as  the  unnurtured  men  who  are  known  once  to 
have  roamed  through  these  forests  in  quest  of  their  game  ? 
Without  assuming  any  infallibility  of  judgment,  or  aspiring 
to  any  peculiarity  of  information,  it  doth  not  appear  to 
my  defective  understanding,  Master  Dudley,  that  the  prog- 
ress of  the  settlement  hath  ever  been  checked  for  want  of 
necessary  foresight,  nor  that  the  growth  of  reason  among 
us  hath  ever  been  stunted  from  any  lack  of  mental  aliment. 
Our  councils  are  not  barren  of  wisdom,  ensign,  nor  hath  it 
often  arrived  that  abstrusities  have  been  propounded,  that 
some  one  intellect,  to  say  no  more  in  our  own  favor,  hath 
not  been  known  to  grapple  with  successfully." 

"That  there  are  men,  or  perhaps  I  ought  to  say  that 
there  is  a  man,  in  the  valley,  who  is  equal  to  many  marvels 
in  the  way  of  enlightened  gifts — ' ' 

"  I  knew  we  should  come  to  peaceable  conclusions,  En- 
sign Dudley,"  interrupted  the  other,  rising  erect  in  his  sad- 
dle, with  an  air  of  appeased  dignity ;  "for  I  have  ever 
found  you  a  discreet  and  consequent  reasoner,  and  one  who 
is  never  known  to  resist  conviction,  when  truth  is  pressed 
with  understanding.  That  the  men  from  over  sea  are  not 
often  so  well  gifted  as  some — we  will  say,  for  the  sake  of  a 
convenient  illustration,  as  thyself,  ensign — is  placed  beyond 
the  reach  of  debate,  since  sight  teacheth  us  that  numberless 
exceptions  may  be  found  to  all  the  more  general  and  dis- 
tinctive laws  of  nature.  I  think  we  are  yet  likely  to  carry 
our  disagreement  further?  " 

"  It  is  impossible  to  make  head  against  one  so  ready  with 
his  knowledge,"  returned  the  other,  well  content  to  exist  in 
his  own  person  a  striking  exception  to  the  inferiority  of  his 
fellows  ;  '  *  though  it  appeareth  to  me  that  my  brother  Ring 
might  be  chosen,  as  another  instance  of  a  reasonable  stat- 
ure ;  a  fact  that  thou  mayst  see,  doctor,  by  regarding  him 
as  he  approaches  through  yon  meadow.  He  hath  been 
like  myself,  on  the  scout  among  the  mountains," 


ZEbe  Mept  of  Mteb*tTon*Wteb          219 

"  There  are  many  instances  of  physical  merit  among  thy 
connections,  Master  Dudley,"  returned  the  complaisant  phy- 
sician ;  ' '  though  it  would  seem  that  thy  brother  hath  not 
found  his  companion  among  them.  He  is  attended  by  an 
ill-grown,  and,  it  may  be  added,  an  ill-favored  comrade,  that 
I  know  not." 

' '  Ha  !  It  would  seem  that  Reuben  hath  fallen  on  the 
trail  of  savages  !  The  man  in  company  is  certainly  in 
paint  and  blanket.  It  may  be  well  to  pause  at  yonder 
opening,  and  await  their  coming." 

As  this  proposition  imposed  no  particular  inconvenience, 
the  doctor  readily  assented.  The  two  drew  nigh  to  the 
place  where  the  men,  whom  they  saw  crossing  the  fields  in 
the  distance,  were  expected  to  enter  the  highway. 

But  little  time  was  lost  in  attendance.  Kre  many  min- 
utes had  elapsed,  Reuben  Ring,  accoutered  and  armed  like 
the  borderer  already  introduced  in  this  chapter,  arrived  at 
the  opening,  followed  by  the  stranger  whose  appearance 
had  caused  so  much  surprise  to  those  who  watched  their 
approach. 

' '  What  now,  sergeant, ' '  exclaimed  Dudley,  when  the 
other  was  within  ear-shot,  speaking  a  little  in  the  manner 
of  one  who  had  a  legal  right  to  propound  his  questions  ; 
' '  hast  fallen  on  a  trail  of  the  savage,  and  made  a  captive  ? 
or  hath  some  owl  permitted  one  of  its  brood  to  fall  from 
the  nest  across  thy  footpath  ?  ' ' 

"I  believe  the  creature  may  be  accounted  a  man,"  re- 
turned the  successful  Reuben,  throwing  the  breech  of  his 
gun  to  the  earth,  and  leaning  on  its  long  barrel,  while  he 
intently  regarded  the  half-painted,  vacant,  and  extremely 
equivocal  countenance  of  his  captive.  "  He  hath  the  colors 
of  a  Narragansett  about  the  brow  and  eyes,  and  yet  he 
faileth  greatly  in  the  form  and  movements. ' ' 

' '  There  are  anomalies  in  the  physicals  of  an  Indian,  as 
in  those  of  other  men,"  interrupted  Doctor  Ergot,  with  a 
meaning  glance  at  Dudley.  "  The  conclusion  of  our  neigh- 
bor Ring  may  be  too  hasty,  since  paint  is  the  fruit  of  art, 
and  may  be  applied  to  any  of  our  faces,  after  an  established 
usage.  But  the  evidences  of  nature  are  far  less  to  be  dis- 


220          Ube  TKIlept  of 


trusted.  It  hath  come  within  the  province  of  my  studies 
to  note  the  differences  in  formation  which  occur  in  the 
different  families  of  man ;  and  nothing  is  more  readily  to 
be  known  to  an  eye  skilled  in  these  abstrusities  than  the 
aboriginal  of  the  tribe  Narragansett.  Set  the  man  more  in 
a  position  of  examination,  neighbors,  and  it  shall  shortly 
be  seen  to  which  race  he  belongs.  Thou  wilt  note  in  this 
little  facility  of  investigation,  ensign,  a  clear  evidence  of 
most  of  the  matters  that  have  this  morning  been  agitated 
between  us.  Doth  the  patient  speak  English  ?  ' ' 

1  *  Therein  have  I  found  some  difficulty  of  inquiry, ' '  re- 
turned Reuben,  or  as  he  should  now  be,  and  as  he  was 
usually  called,  Sergeant  Ring.  * '  He  hath  been  spoken  to 
in  the  language  of  a  Christian,  no  less  than  in  that  of  a 
heathen,  and  as  yet  no  reply  hath  been  made,  while  he 
obeys  commands  uttered  in  both  forms  of  speech." 

' '  It  mattereth  not,"  said  Ergot,  dismounting,  and  draw- 
ing near  to  his  subject,  with  a  look  towards  Dudley  that 
should  seem  to  court  his  admiration. 

"  Happily  the  examination  before  me  leaneth  but  little 
on  any  subtleties  of  speech.  I/et  the  man  be  placed  in  an 
attitude  of  ease,  one  in  which  nature  may  not  be  fettered 
by  restraint.  The  conformation  of  the  whole  head  is  re- 
markably aboriginal,  but  the  distinction  of  tribes  is  not  to 
be  sought  in  these  general  delineations.  The  forehead,  as 
you  see,  neighbors,  is  retreating  and  narrow,  the  cheek- 
bones as  usual  high,  and  the  olfactory  member,  as  in  all  of 
the  natives,  inclining  to  Roman." 

' '  Now  to  me  it  would  seem  that  the  nose  of  the  man 
hath  a  marked  upturning  at  the  end,"  Dudley  ventured  to 
remark,  as  the  other  ran  volubly  over  the  general  and  well- 
known  distinctive  points  of  physical  construction  in  an 
Indian. 

"  As  an  exception  !  Thou  seest,  ensign,  by  this  eleva- 
tion of  the  bone,  and  the  protuberance  of  the  more  fleshy 
parts,  that  the  peculiarity  is  an  exception.  I  should  rather 
have  said  that  the  nose  originally  inclined  to  the  Roman. 
The  departure  from  regularity  has  been  produced  by  some 
casualty  of  their  warfare,  such  as  a  blow  from  a  tomahawk, 


ZTbe  Mept  of  Misb^on^TOtsb          221 


or  the  gash  of  a  knife — ay  !  here  thou  seest  the  scar  left 
by  the  weapon  !  It  is  concealed  by  the  paint ;  but  remove 
that,  and  you  will  find  that  it  hath  all  the  form  of  a  cicatrix 
of  a  corresponding  shape.  These  departures  from  generali- 
ties have  a  tendency  to  confound  pretenders ;  a  happy  cir- 
cumstance in  itself  for  the  progress  of  knowledge  on  fixed 
principles.  Place  the  subject  more  erect,  that  we  may  see 
the  natural  movement  of  the  muscles.  Here  is  an  evidence 
of  great  aquatic  habits  in  the  dimensions  of  the  foot,  which 
go  to  confirm  original  conceptions.  It  is  a  happy  proof, 
through  which  reasonable  and  prudent  conclusions  confirm 
the  quick-sighted  glances  of  practice.  I  pronounce  the 
fellow  to  be  a  Narragansett." 

'  *  Is  it  then  a  Narragansett  that  hath  a  foot  to  confound 
a  trail  ? ' '  returned  Kben  Dudley,  who  had  been  studying 
the  movements  and  attitudes  of  the  captive  with  quite  as 
much  keenness,  and  with  something  more  of  understand- 
ing than  the  leech.  "  Brother  Ring,  hast  ever  known 
an  Indian  leave  such  an  out-turning  foot-print  on  the 
leaves?" 

"Ensign,  I  marvel  that  a  man  of  thy  discretion  should 
dwell  on  a  slight  variety  of  movement,  when  a  case  exists 
in  which  the  laws  of  nature  may  be  traced  to  their  sources. 
This  training  for  the  Indian  troubles  hath  made  thee  critical 
in  the  position  of  a  foot.  I  have  said  that  the  fellow  is  a 
Narragansett,  and  what  I  have  uttered  hath  not  been  lightly 
ventured.  Here  is  the  peculiar  formation  of  the  foot, 
which  hath  been  obtained  in  infancy,  a  fulness  in  the 
muscles  of  the  breast  and  shoulders,  from  unusual  exercise 
in  an  element  denser  than  the  air,  and  a  nicer  construction 
in—" 

The  physician  paused,  for  Dudley  had  coolly  advanced 
to  the  captive,  and  raising  the  thin  robe  of  deer-skin  which 
was  thrown  over  the  whole  of  his  superior  members,  he 
exposed  the  unequivocal  skin  of  a  white  man.  This  would 
have  proved  an  embarrassing  refutation  to  one  accustomed 
to  the  conflict  of  wits  ;  but  monopoly  in  certain  branches 
of  knowledge  had  produced  in  favor  of  Doctor  Ergot  an 
acknowledged  superiority,  that  in  its  effects  might  be  likened 


222          Ube  Wept  of 


to  the  predominating  influence  of  any  other  aristocracy  on 
those  faculties  that  have  been  benumbed  by  its  operation. 
His  opinion  changed,  which  is  more  than  can  be  said  of  his 
countenance  ;  for  with  the  readiness  of  invention  which  is 
so  often  practised  in  the  felicitous  institutions  we  have 
named,  and  by  which  the  reasoning,  instead  of  regulating, 
is  adapted  to  the  practice,  he  exclaimed  with  uplifted  hands 
and  eyes  that  bespoke  the  fulness  of  his  admiration,  — 

"Here  have  we  another  proof  of  the  wonderful  agency 
by  which  the  changes  in  nature  are  gradually  wrought  ! 
Now  do  we  see  in  this  Narragansett  —  '  ' 

"The  man  is  white!"  interrupted  Dudley,  tapping  the 
naked  shoulder,  which  he  still  held  exposed  to  view. 

*  *  White,  but  not  a  tittle  the  less  a  Narragansett.  Your 
captive,  beyond  a  doubt,  oweth  his  existence  to  Christian 
parentage,  but  accident  hath  thrown  him  early  among  the 
aboriginals,  and  all  those  parts  which  were  liable  to  change 
were  fast  getting  to  assume  the  peculiarities  of  the  tribe. 
He  is  one  of  those  beautiful  and  connecting  links  in  the 
chain  of  knowledge,  by  which  science  followeth  up  its  de- 
ductions to  demonstration." 

'  '  I  should  ill  brook  coming  to  harm  for  doing  violence  to 
a  subject  of  the  king,"  said  Reuben  Ring,  a  steady,  open- 
faced  yeoman,  who  thought  far  less  of  the  subtleties  of  his 
companion  than  of  discharging  his  social  duties  in  a  manner 
fitting  the  character  of  a  quiet  and  well-conditioned  citizen. 
*  '  We  have  had  so  much  of  stirring  tidings  latterly,  concern- 
ing the  manner  the  savages  conduct  their  warfare,  that  it 
behooveth  men  in  places  of  trust  to  be  vigilant  ;  for,  '  '  glanc- 
ing eyes  towards  the  ruin  of  the  distant  block-house, 
"thou  knowest,  brother  Dudley,  that  we  have  occasion 
to  be  watchful  in  a  settlement  as  deep  in  the  forest  as 
this." 

"  I  will  answer  for  the  indemnity,  Sergeant  Ring,"  said 
Dudley,  with  an  air  of  dignity.  "I  take  upon  myself  the 
keeping  of  this  stranger,  and  will  see  that  he  be  borne,  prop- 
erly and  in  fitting  season,  before  the  authorities.  In  the 
meantime,  duty  hath  caused  us  to  overlook  matters  of 
moment  in  thy  household,  which  it  may  be  seemly  to 


Mept  of  Misb^on^Mteb          223 

communicate.  Abundance  hath  not  been  neglectful  of  thy 
interests,  during  the  scout." 

'  *  What ! ' '  demanded  the  husband,  with  rather  more  of 
earnestness  than  was  generally  exhibited  by  one  of  habits 
as  restrained  as  his  own  ;  '  *  hath  the  woman  called  upon 
the  neighbors  during  my  absence  ? ' ' 

Dudley  nodded  an  assent. 

"And  shall  I  find  another  boy  beneath  my  roof  ?  " 

Doctor  Ergot  nodded  three  times,  with  a  gravity  that 
might  have  suited  a  communication  even  more  weighty  than 
the  one  he  made. 

' '  Thy  woman  rarely  doth  a  good  turn  by  halves,  Reu- 
ben. Thou  wilt  find  that  she  hath  made  provision  for  a 
successor  to  our  good  neighbor  Ergot,  since  a  seventh  son 
is  born  in  thy  house. ' ' 

The  broad,  honest  face  of  the  father  flushed  with  joy,  and 
then  a  feeling  less  selfish  came  over  him.  He  asked,  with 
a  slight  tremor  in  the  voice,  that  was  none  the  less  touch- 
ing for  coming  from  the  lips  of  one  so  stout  of  frame  and 
firm  of  movement, — 

"And  the  woman? — in  what  manner  doth  Abundance 
bear  up  under  the  blessing  ?  ' ' 

' '  Bravely, ' '  returned  the  leech ;  "go  to  thy  dwelling, 
Sergeant  Ring,  and  praise  God  that  there  is  one  to  look  to 
its  concerns  in  thy  absence.  He  who  hath  received  the 
gift  of  seven  sons  in  five  years  need  never  be  a  poor  nor  a 
dependent  man  in  a  country  like  this.  Seven  farms  added 
to  that  pretty  homestead  of  mountain-land  which  thou  now 
tillest  will  render  thee  a  patriarch  in  thine  age,  and  sustain 
the  name  of  Ring  hundreds  of  years  hence,  when  these 
colonies  shall  become  peopled  and  powerful,  and,  I  say  it 
boldly,  caring  not  who  may  call  me  one  that  vaunteth  out 
of  reason,  equal  to  some  of  your  lofty  and  self-extolled  king- 
doms of  Europe — ay,  even  peradventure  to  the  mighty 
sovereignty  of  Portugal  itself!  I  have  enumerated  thy 
future  farms  at  seven,  for  the  allusion  of  the  ensign  to  the 
virtues  of  men  born  with  natural  propensities  to  the  healing 
art,  must  be  taken  as  pleasant  speech,  since  it  is  a  mere 
delusion  of  old  wives'  fancy,  and  it  would  be  particularly  un- 


224          Ube  Mept  of 


necessary  here,  where  every  reasonable  situation  of  this  na- 
ture is  already  occupied.  Go  to  thy  wife,  sergeant,  and  bid 
her  be  of  good  cheer  ;  for  she  hath  done  herself,  thee,  and 
thy  country,  a  service,  and  that  without  dabbling  in  pursuits 
foreign  to  her  comprehension.'' 

The  sturdy  yeoman,  on  whom  this  rich  gift  of  Providence 
had  been  dispensed,  raised  his  hat,  and  placing  it  decently 
before  his  face,  he  offered  up  a  silent  thanksgiving  for  the 
favor.  Then  transferring  his  captive  to  the  keeping  of  his 
superior  and  kinsman,  he  was  soon  seen  striding  over  the 
fields  towards  his  upland  dwelling,  with  a  heavy  foot,  though 
with  a  light  heart. 

In  the  meantime,  Dudley  and  his  companion  bestowed  a 
more  particular  attention  on  the  silent  and  nearly  motion- 
less object  of  their  curiosity.  Though  the  captive  appeared 
to  be  of  middle  age,  his  eye  was  unmeaning,  his  air  timid 
and  uncertain,  and  his  form  cringing  and  ungainly.  In  all 
these  particulars,  he  was  seen  to  differ  from  the  known 
peculiarities  of  a  native  warrior. 

Previously  to  departing,  Reuben  Ring  had  explained 
that  while  traversing  the  woods,  on  that  duty  of  watchful- 
ness to  which  the  state  of  the  colony  and  some  recent  signs 
had  given  rise,  this  wandering  person  had  been  encountered 
and  secured,  as  seemed  necessary  to  the  safety  of  the  settle- 
ment. He  had  neither  sought  nor  avoided  his  captor  ;  but 
when  questioned  concerning  his  tribe,  his  motive  for  trav- 
ersing those  hills,  and  his  future  intentions,  no  satisfactory 
reply  could  be  extracted.  He  had  scarcely  spoken,  and  the 
little  that  he  said  was  uttered  in  a  jargon  between  the  lan- 
guage of  his  interrogator  and  the  dialect  of  some  barbarous 
nation.  Though  there  was  much  in  the  actual  state  of  the 
colonies,  and  in  the  circumstances  in  which  this  wanderer 
had  been  found,  to  justify  his  detention,  little  had  in  truth 
been  discovered,  to  supply  a  clue  either  to  any  material 
facts  in  his  history,  or  to  any  of  his  views  in  being  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  valley. 

Guided  only  by  this  barren  information,  Dudley  and  his 
companion  endeavored,  as  they  moved  towards  the  hamlet, 
to  entrap  their  prisoner  into  some  confession  of  his  object, 


Ube  Mept  of 


225 


by  putting  their  questions  with  a  sagacity  not  unusual  to 
men  in  remote  and  difficult  situations,  where  necessity  and 
danger  are  apt  to  keep  alive  all  the  native  energies  of  the 
human  mind.  The  answers  were  little  connected  and  un- 
intelligible, sometimes  seeming  to  exhibit  the  finest  subtlety 
of  savage  cunning,  and  at  others  appearing  to  possess  the 

mental  helplessness  of  the  most  abject  fatuity. 

15 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

"  I  am  not  prone  to  weeping,  as  our  sex 
Commonly  are ; — 

But  I  have 

That  honorable  grief  lodged  here,  which  burns 
Worse  than  tears  drown." 

Winter's  Tale. 

• 

IF  the  pen  of  a  compiler,  like  that  we  wield,  possessed 
the  mechanical  power  of  the  stage,  it  would  be  easy  to 
shift  the  scenes  of  this  legend  as  rapidly  and  effective!)' 
as  is  required  for  its  right  understanding,  and  for  the 
proper  maintenance  of  its  interest.  That  which  cannot  be 
done  with  the  magical  aid  of  machinery  must  be  attempted 
by  less  ambitious,  and  we  fear  by  far  less  efficacious  means. 
At  the  same  early  hour  of  the  day,  and  at  no  great  dis- 
tance from  the  spot  where  Dudley  announced  his  good 
fortune  to  his  brother  Ring,  another  morning  meeting  had 
place  between  persons  of  the  same  blood  and  connections. 
From  the  instant  when  the  pale  light  that  precedes  the  day 
was  first  seen  in  the  heavens,  the  windows  and  doors  of  the 
considerable  dwelling,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  valley, 
had  been  unbarred.  Ere  the  glow  of  the  sun  had  gilded 
the  sky  over  the  outline  of  the  eastern  woods,  this  example 
of  industry  and  providence  was  followed  by  the  inmates  of 
every  house  in  the  village,  or  on  the  surrounding  hills  ;  and 
by  the  time  the  golden  globe  itself  wras  visible  above  the 
trees,  there  was  not  a  human  being  in  all  that  settlement, 
of  proper  age  and  health,  who  was  not  actively  afoot. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that   the  dwelling  particularly 
named  was  the  present  habitation  of  the  household  of  Mark 

226 


Tlbe  Mept  of  Misb^ZToiVlKIUsb          227 

Heathcote.  Though  age  had  sapped  the  foundations  of  his 
strength,  and  had  nearly  dried  the  channels  of  his  existence, 
the  venerable  religionist  still  lived.  While  his  physical 
perfection  had  been  gradually  giving  way  before  the  ordi- 
nary decay  of  nature,  the  moral  man  was  but  little  altered. 
It  is  even  probable  that  his  visions  of  futurity  were  less 
dimmed  by  the  mists  of  carnal  interests  than  when  last 
seen,  and  that  the  spirit  had  gained  some  portion  of  that 
energy  which  had  certainly  been  abstracted  from  the  more 
corporeal  parts  of  his  existence.  At  the  hour  already 
named,  the  Puritan  was  seated  in  the  piazza,  which  stretched 
along  the  whole  front  of  a  dwelling  that,  however  it  might 
be  deficient  in  architectural  proportions,  was  not  wanting  in 
the  more  substantial  comforts  of  a  spacious  and  commodious 
frontier  residence.  In  order  to  obtain  a  faithful  portrait 
of  a  man  so  intimately  connected  with  our  tale,  the  reader 
will  fancy  him  one  who  had  numbered  four-score  and  ten 
years,  with  a  visage  on  which  deep  and  constant  mental 
striving  had  wrought  many  and  menacing  furrows,  a  form 
that  trembled  while  it  yet  exhibited  the  ruins  of  power- 
ful limb  and  flexible  muscle,  and  a  countenance  on  which 
ascetic  reflections  had  engraved  a  severity  that  was  but 
faintly  relieved  by  the  gleamings  of  a  natural  kindness, 
which  no  acquired  habits  nor  any  traces  of  metaphysical 
thought  could  ever  entirely  erase.  Across  this  picture  of 
venerable  and  self-mortifying  age,  the  first  rays  of  the  sun 
were  now  softly  cast,  lighting  a  dimmed  eye  and  furrowed 
face  with  a  look  of  brightness  and  peace.  Perhaps  the 
blandness  of  the  expression  belonged  as  much  to  the  season 
and  hour,  as  to  the  habitual  character  of  the  man.  This 
benignancy  of  feature,  unusual  rather  in  its  strength  than 
in  its  existence,  might  have  been  heightened  by  the  fact 
that  his  spirit  had  just  wrought  in  prayer,  as  was  usual,  in 
the  circle  of  his  children  and  dependants,  ere  they  left  those 
retired  parts  of  the  building  where  they  had  found  rest  and 
security  during  the  night.  Of  the  former,  none  known 
and  cherished  in  the  domestic  circle  had  been  absent ;  and 
the  ample  provision  that  was  making  for  the  morning  meal 
sufficiently  showed  that  the  ntfcnber  of  the  latter  had  in  no 


228          Ube  Wept  of 


degree  diminished  since  the  reader  was  familiar  with  the 
domestic  economy  of  his  household. 

Time  had  produced  no  very  striking  alteration  in  the 
appearance  of  Content.  It  is  true  that  the  brown  hue  of 
his  features  had  deepened,  and  that  his  frame  was  begin- 
ning to  lose  some  of  its  elasticity  and  ease  of  action  in  the 
more  measured  movements  of  middle  age.  But  the  gov- 
erned temperament  of  the  individual  had  always  kept  the 
animal  in  more  than  usual  subjection.  Even  his  earlier 
days  had  rather  exhibited  the  promise  than  the  perform- 
ance of  the  ordinary  youthful  qualities.  Mental  gravity 
had  long  before  produced  a  corresponding  physical  effect. 
In  reference  to  his  exterior,  and  using  the  language  of  the 
painter,  it  would  now  be  said  that,  without  having  wrought 
any  change  in  form  and  proportions,  the  colors  had  been 
mellowed  by  time.  If  a  few  hairs  of  gray  were  sprinkled 
here  and  there  around  his  brow,  it  was  as  moss  gathers  on 
the  stones  of  the  edifice,  rather  furnishing  evidence  of  its 
increased  adhesion  and  approved  stability,  than  denoting 
any  symptoms  of  decay. 

Not  so  with  his  gentle  and  devoted  partner.  That  soft- 
ness and  sweetness  of  air  which  had  first  touched  the  heart 
of  Content  were  still  to  be  seen,  though  they  existed  amid 
the  traces  of  a  constant  and  a  corroding  grief.  The  fresh- 
ness of  youth  had  departed,  and  in  its  place  was  visible  the 
more  lasting,  and,  in  her  case,  the  more  affecting  beauty  of 
expression.  The  eye  of  Ruth  had  lost  none  of  its  gentle- 
ness, and  her  smile  still  continued  kind  and  attractive  ;  but 
the  former  was  often  painfully  vacant,  seeming  to  look  in- 
vward  upon  those  secret  and  withering  sources  of  sorrow 
that  were  deeply  and  almost  mysteriously  seated  in  her 
heart  ;  while  the  latter  resembled  the  cold  brightness  of 
that  planet  which  illumines  objects  by  repelling  the  bor- 
rowed lustre  from  its  own  bosom.  The  matronly  form,  the 
feminine  beaming  of  the  countenance,  and  the  melodious 
voice,  yet  remained  ;  but  the  first  had  been  shaken  till  it 
stood  on  the  very  verge  of  a  premature  decay  ;  the  second 
had  a  mingling  of  anxious  care  in  its  most  sympathetic 
movements,  and  the  last  was  seldom  without  that  fearful 


Ube  Mept  ot 


thrill  which  so  deeply  affects  the  senses  by  conveying  to  the 
understanding  a  meaning  so  foreign  from  the  words.  And 
yet  an  uninterested  and  ordinary  observer  might  not  have 
seen,  in  the  faded  comeliness  and  blighted  maturity  of  the 
matron,  more  than  the  every-day  signs  that  betray  the  turn 
in  the  tide  of  human  existence.  As  befitted  such  a  subject, 
the  coloring  of  sorrow  had  been  traced  by  a  hand  too  deli- 
cate to  leave  the  lines  visible  to  every  vulgar  eye.  L,ike 
the  master-touches  of  art,  her  grief,  as  it  was  beyond  the 
sympathies,  so  it  lay  beyond  the  ken  of  those  whom  excel- 
lence may  fail  to  excite,  or  in  whom  absence  can  deaden 
affections.  Still  her  feelings  were  true  to  all  who  had  any 
claims  on  her  love.  The  predominance  of  wasting  grief 
over  the  more  genial  springs  of  her  enjoyments  only  went 
to  prove  how  much  greater  is  the  influence  of  the  generous 
than  the  selfish  qualities  of  our  nature  in  a  heart  that  is 
truly  endowed  with  tenderness.  It  is  scarce  necessary  to  say 
that  this  gentle  and  constant  woman  sorrowed  for  her  child. 

Had  Ruth  Heathcote  known  that  the  girl  ceased  to  live, 
it  would  not  have  been  difficult  for  one  of  her  faith  to  have 
deposited  her  regrets  by  the  side  of  hopes  that  were  so  justi- 
fiable in  the  grave  of  the  innocent.  But  the  living  death  to 
which  her  offspring  might  be  condemned  was  rarely  absent 
from  her  thoughts.  She  listened  to  the  maxims  of  resigna- 
tion, which  were  heard  flowing  from  lips  she  loved,  with  the 
fondness  of  a  woman  and  the  meekness  of  a  Christian  ;  and 
then,  even  while  the  holy  lessons  were  still  sounding  in  her 
attentive  organs,  the  workings  of  an  unconquerable  nature 
led  her  insidiously  back  to  the  sorrow  of  a  mother. 

The  imagination  of  this  devoted  and  feminine  being  had 
never  possessed  an  undue  control  over  her  reason.  Her 
visions  of  happiness  with  the  man  whom  her  judgment  not 
less  than  her  inclination  approved,  had  been  such  as  experi- 
ence and  religion  might  justify.  But  she  was  now  fated  to 
learn  there  is  a  fearful  poetry  in  sorrow,  which  can  sketch 
with  a  grace  and  an  imaginative  power  that  no  feebler  efforts 
of  a  heated  fancy  may  ever  equal.  She  heard  the  sweet 
breathing  of  her  slumbering  infant  in  the  whispering  of  the 
summer  airs  ;  its  plaints  came  to  her  ears  amid  the  howlings 


230          ZTbe  Mept  of 


of  the  gale  ;  while  the  eager  question  and  fond  reply  were 
mixed  up  with  the  most  ordinary  intercourse  of  her  own 
household.  To  her  the  laugh  of  childish  happiness,  that 
often  came  on  the  still  air  of  evening  from  the  hamlet, 
sounded  like  the  voice  of  mourning  ;  and  scarce  an  infantile 
sport  met  her  eye  that  did  not  bring  with  it  a  pang  of  an- 
guish. Twice  since  the  events  of  the  inroad  had  she  been  a 
mother  ;  and,  as  if  an  eternal  blight  were  doomed  to  destroy 
her  hopes,  the  little  creatures  to  whom  she  had  given  birth 
slept  side  by  side  near  the  base  of  the  ruined  block.  Thither 
she  often  went,  but  it  was  rather  to  be  the  victim  of  those 
cruel  images  of  her  fancy,  than  as  a  mourner.  Her  visions 
of  the  dead  were  calm  and  even  consolatory,  but  if  ever  her 
thoughts  mounted  to  the  abodes  of  eternal  peace,  and  her 
feeble  fancy  essayed  to  embody  the  forms  of  the  blessed,  her 
mental  eye  sought  her  who  was  not,  rather  than  those  who 
were  believed  to  be  secure  in  their  felicity.  Wasting  and 
delusory  as  were  these  glimpses  of  the  mind,  there  were  others 
far  more  harrowing,  because  they  presented  themselves  with 
more  of  the  coarse  and  certain  features  of  the  world.  It  was 
the  common,  and  perhaps  it  was  the  better  opinion  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  valley,  that  death  had  early  sealed  the 
fate  of  those  who  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  savages  on 
the  occasion  of  the  inroad.  Such  a  result  was  in  conformity 
with  the  known  practices  and  ruthless  passions  of  the  con- 
querors, who  seldom  spared  life  unless  to  render  revenge 
more  cruelly  refined,  or  to  bring  consolation  to  some  bereaved 
mother  of  the  tribe  by  offering  a  substitute  for  the  dead  in 
the  person  of  a  captive.  There  was  relief  to  picture  the  face 
of  the  laughing  cherub  in  the  clouds,  or  to  listen  to  its  light 
footstep  in  the  empty  halls  of  the  dwelling  ;  for  in  these  il- 
lusive images  of  the  brain  suffering  was  confined  to  her  own 
bosom.  But  when  stern  reality  usurped  the  place  of  fancy, 
and  she  saw  her  living  daughter  shivering  in  the  wintry 
blasts  or  sinking  beneath  the  fierce  heats  of  the  climate, 
cheerless  in  the  desolation  of  female  servitude,  and  suffering 
meekly  the  lot  of  physical  weakness  beneath  a  savage  mas- 
ter, she  endured  that  anguish  which  was  gradually  exhaust- 
ing the  springs  of  life. 


ZTbe  Wept  of  Wisb*Uon*Wisb          231 

Though  the  father  was  not  altogether  exempt  from  similar 
sorrow,  it  beset  him  less  ceaselessly.  He  knew  how  to 
struggle  with  the  workings  of  his  mind  as  best  became  a 
man.  Though  strongly  impressed  with  the  belief  that  the 
captives  had  early  been  put  beyond  the  reach  of  suffering,  he 
had  neglected  no  duty  which  tenderness  to  his  sorrowing 
partner,  parental  love,  or  Christian  duty,  could  require  at  his 
hands. 

The  Indians  had  retired  on  the  crust  of  the  snow,  and  with 
the  thaw  every  foot-print  or  sign  by  which  such  wary  foes 
might  be  traced,  had  vanished.  It  remained  matter  of  doubt 
to  what  tribe  or  even  to  what  nation  the  marauders  belonged. 
The  peace  of  the  colony  had  not  yet  been  openly  broken, 
and  the  inroad  had  been  rather  a  violent  and  fierce  symptom 
of  the  evils  that  were  contemplated,  than  the  actual  com- 
mencement of  the  ruthless  hostilities  which  had  since  rav- 
aged the  frontier.  But  while  policy  had  kept  the  colonists 
quiet,  private  affection  omitted  no  rational  means  of  effect- 
ing the  restoration  of  the  sufferers,  in  the  event  of  their 
having  been  spared. 

Scouts  had  passed  among  the  conspiring  and  but  half- 
peaceable  tribes  nearest  to  the  settlement,  and  rewards  and 
menaces  had  both  been  liberally  used,  in  order  to  ascertain 
the  character  of  the  savages  who  had  laid  waste  the  valley, 
as  well  as  the  more  interesting  fortunes  of  their  hapless  vic- 
tims. Every  expedient  to  detect  the  truth  had  failed.  The 
Narragansetts  affirmed  that  their  constant  enemies,  the  Mo- 
hicans, acting  with  their  customary  treachery,  had  plundered 
their  English  friends,  while  the  Mohicans  vehement!)'  threw 
back  the  imputation  on  the  Narragansetts.  At  other  times, 
some  Indians  affected  to  make  dark  allusions  to  the  hostile 
feelings  of  fierce  warriors,  who,  under  the  name  of  the  Five 
Nations,  were  known  to  reside  within  limits  of  the  Dutch 
colony  of  New  Netherlands,  and  to  dwell  upon  the  jealousy 
of  the  pale- faces  who  spoke  a  language  different  from  that 
of  the  Yengeese.  In  short,  inquiry  had  produced  no  result, 
and  Content,  when  he  did  permit  his  fancy  to  represent  his 
daughter  as  still  living,  was  forced  to  admit  to  himself  the 
probability  that  she  might  be  buried  far  in  the  ocean  of  wil- 


232          TEbe  TKHept  of 


derness  which  then  covered  most  of  the  surface  of  this  con- 
tinent. 

Once,  indeed,  a  rumor  of  an  exciting  nature  had  reached 
the  family.  An  itinerant  trader,  bound  from  the  wilds  of 
the  interior  to  a  mart  on  the  sea-shore,  had  entered  the 
valley.  He  brought  with  him  a  report  that  a  child,  answer- 
ing in  some  respects  to  the  appearance  which  might  now  be 
supposed  to  belong  to  her  who  was  lost,  was  living  among 
the  savages,  on  the  banks  of  the  smaller  lakes  of  the  adjoin- 
ing colony.  The  distance  to  this  spot  was  great  ;  the  path 
led  through  a  thousand  dangers,  and  the  result  was  far  from 
certain.  Yet  it  quickened  hopes  which  had  long  been  dor- 
mant. Ruth  never  urged  any  request  that  might  involve 
serious  hazard  to  her  husband,  and  for  many  months  the 
latter  had  even  ceased  to  speak  on  the  subject.  Still,  nature 
was  working  powerfully  within  him.  His  eyes,  at  all  times 
reflecting  and  calm,  grew  more  thoughtful  ;  deeper  lines  of 
care  gathered  about  his  brow,  and  at  length  melancholy 
took  possession  of  a  countenance  which  was  usually  so 
placid. 

It  was  at  this  precise  period,  that  Kben  Dudley  chose  to 
urge  the  suit  he  had  always  pressed  after  his  own  desultory 
fashion,  on  the  decision  of  Faith.  One  of  those  well-ordered 
accidents  which,  from  time  to  time,  had  brought  the  girl 
and  the  young  borderer  in  private  conversation,  enabled  him 
to  effect  his  design  with  sufficient  clearness.  Faith  heard 
him  without  betraying  any  of  her  ordinary  waywardness, 
and  answered  with  as  little  prevarication  as  the  subject 
seemed  to  demand. 

"This  is  well,  Eben  Dudley,"  she  said,  "and  it  is  no 
more  than  an  honest  girl  hath  a  right  to  hear  from  one  who 
hath  taken  as  many  means  as  thou  to  get  into  her  favor. 
But  he  who  would  have  his  life  tormented  by  me  hath  a 
solemn  duty  to  do,  ere  I  listen  to  his  wishes." 

"  I  have  been  in  the  lower  towns  and  studied  their  manner 
of  life,  and  I  have  been  upon  the  scouts  of  the  colony,  to 
keep  the  Indians  in  their  wigwams,"  returned  her  suitor, 
endeavoring  to  recount  the  feats  of  manliness  that  might 
reasonably  be  expected  of  one  inclined  to  venture  on  so 


Ube  Wept  of  TOteb*zron*Wteb          233 

hazardous  an  experiment  as  matrimony.  "The  bargain 
with  the  young  captain  for  the  hill-lot,  and  for  a  village 
homestead,  is  drawing  near  a  close,  and  as  the  neighbors 
will  not  be  backward  at  the  stone-bee,  or  the  raising,  I  see 
nothing  to — ' ' 

'  *  Thou  deceivest  thyself,  observant  Dudley, ' '  interrupted 
the  girl,  "  if  thou  believest  eye  of  thine  can  see  that  which 
is  to  be  sought,  ere  one  and  the  same  fortune  shall  be  the 
property  of  thee  and  me.  Hast  noted,  Kben,  the  manner 
in  which  the  cheek  of  the  madam  hath  paled,  and  how  her 
eye  is  getting  sunken,  since  the  time  when  the  fur  trader 
tarried  with  us,  the  week  of  the  storm  ?  ' ' 

1 '  I  cannot  say  that  there  is  much  change  in  the  wearing  of 
the  madam  within  the  bearing  of  my  memory, ' '  answered 
Dudley,  who  was  never  remarkable  for  minute  observations 
of  this  nature,  however  keen  he  might  prove  in  subjects 
more  intimately  connected  with  his  daily  pursuits.  "  She 
is  not  young  and  blooming  as  thou,  Faith  ;  nor  is  it  often 
that  we  see— " 

"  I  tell  thee,  man,  that  sorrow  preyeth  upon  her  form', 
and  that  she  liveth  but  in  the  memory  of  the  lost  infant !  ' ' 

' '  This  is  carrying  mourning  beyond  the  bounds  of  rea- 
son. The  child  is  at  peace,  as  is  thy  brother  Whittal,  be- 
yond all  manner  of  question.  That  we  have  not  discovered 
their  bones  is  owing  to  the  fire,  which  left  but  little  to  tell 
of—" 

* '  Thy  head  is  a  charnel-house,  dull  Dudley  ;  but  this  pic- 
ture of  its  furniture  shall  not  suffice  for  me.  The  man  who 
is  to  be  my  husband  must  have  a  feeling  for  a  mother's 
sorrows  ! ' ' 

"  What  is  now  getting  uppermost  in  thy  mind,  Faith  ?  Is 
it  for  me  to  bring  back  the  dead  to  life,  or  to  place  a  child 
that  hath  been  lost  so  many  years,  once  more  in  the  arms 
of  its  parents  ?  ' ' 

' '  It  is.  Nay,  open  not  thine  eyes,  as  if  light  were  first 
breaking  into  the  darkness  of  a  clouded  brain  !  I  repeat, 
it  is  !  " 

' '  I  am  glad  that  we  have  got  to  these  open  declarations, 
for  too  much  of  my  life  hath  been  -already  wasted  in  unsettled 


234          ^be  TKRept  of 


gallanting,  when  sound  wisdom  and  the  example  of  all 
around  me  have  shown  that  in  order  to  become  the  father 
of  a  family,  and  to  be  esteemed  for  a  substantial  settler,  I 
should  have  both  cleared  and  wived  some  years  ago.  I  wish 
to  deal  justly  by  all,  and  having  given  thee  reason  to  think 
that  the  day  might  come  when  we  should  live  together,  as 
is  fitting  to  people  of  our  condition,  I  felt  it  a  duty  to  ask 
thee  to  share  my  chances  ;  but  now  that  thou  dealest  in 
impossibilities,  it  is  needful  to  seek  elsewhere.  '  ' 

'  '  This  hath  ever  been  thy  way  when  a  good  understanding 
hath  been  established  between  us.  Thy  mind  is  ever  getting 
into  some  discontent,  and  then  blame  is  heaped  on  one  who 
rarely  doth  anything  that  should  in  reason  offend  thee. 
What  madness  maketh  thee  dream  that  I  ask  impossibili- 
ties? Surely,  Dudley,  thou  canst  not  have  noticed  the 
manner  in  which  the  nature  of  the  madam  is  giving  way 
before  the  consuming  heat  of  her  grief  ;  thou  canst  not  look 
into  the  sorrow  of  woman,  or  thou  wouldst  have  listened 
with  more  kindness  to  a  plan  of  travelling  the  woods  for  a 
short  season,  in  order  that  it  might  be  known  whether  she 
of  whom  the  trader  spoke  is  the  lost  one  of  our  family,  or 
the  child  of  some  stranger  !  '  ' 

Though  Faith  spoke  with  vexation,  she  also  spoke  with 
feeling.  Her  dark  eye  swam  in  tears,  and  the  color  of  her 
brown  cheek  deepened,  until  her  companion  saw  new  reasons 
to  forget  his  discontent,  in  sympathies  which,  however  ob- 
tuse they  might  be,  were  never  entirely  dormant. 

"  If  a  journey  of  a  few  hundred  miles  be  all  thou  askest, 
girl,  why  speak  in  parables?"  he  good-naturedly  replied. 
'  '  The  kind  word  was  not  wanting  to  put  me  on  such  a  trial. 
We  will  be  married  on  the  Sabbath,  and  please  Heaven,  the 
Wednesday,  or  the  Saturday  at  most,  shall  see  me  on  the 
path  of  the  western  trader.  '  ' 

"  No  delay.  Thou  must  depart  with  the  sun.  The  more 
active  thou  pro  vest  on  the  journey,  the  sooner  wilt  thou 
have  the  power  to  make  me  repent  a  foolish  deed.  '  ' 

But  Faith  had  been  persuaded  to  relax  a  little  from  this 
severity.  They  were  married  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the 
following  day  Content  and  Dudley  left  the  valley  in  quest 


Mept  of  Wisb^orWTCllfsb          235 

of  the  distant  tribe  on  which  the  scion  of  another  stock  was 
said  to  have  been  so  violently  engrafted. 

It  is  needless  to  dwell  on  the  dangers  and  privations  of 
such  an  expedition.  The  Hudson,  the  Delaware,  and  the 
Susquehannah,  rivers  that  were  then  better  known  in  tales 
than  to  the  inhabitants  of  New  England,  were  all  crossed ; 
and  after  a  painful  and  hazardous  journey,  the  adventurers 
reached  the  first  of  that  collection  of  small  interior  lakes 
whose  banks  are  now  so  beautifully  decorated  with  villages 
and  farms.  Here,  in  the  bosom  of  savage  tribes,  and 
exposed  to  every  danger  of  field  and  flood,  supported  only 
by  his  hopes,  and  by  the  presence  of  a  stout  companion 
that  hardships  or  danger  could  not  easily  subdue,  the  father 
diligently  sought  his  child. 

At  length  a  people  was  found  who  held  a  captive  that 
answered  the  description  of  the  trader.  We  shall  not  dwell 
on  the  feelings  with  which  Content  approached  the  village 
that  contained  this  little  descendant  of  a  white  race.  He 
had  not  concealed  his  errand ;  and  the  sacred  character  in 
which  he  came  found  pity  and  respect  even  among  tho.se 
barbarous  tenants  of  the  wilderness.  A  deputation  of  the 
chiefs  received  him  in  the  skirts  of  their  clearing.  He  was 
conducted  to  a  wigwam  where  a  council-fire  was  lighted, 
and  an  interpreter  opened  the  subject  by  placing  the  amount 
of  the  ransom  offered,  and  the  professions  of  peace  with 
which  the  strangers  came,  in  the  fairest  light  before  his 
auditors.  It  is  not  usual  for  the  American  savage  to  loosen 
his  hold  easily  on  one  naturalized  in  his  tribe.  But  the 
meek  air  and  noble  confidence  of  Content  touched  the  latent 
qualities  of  those  generous  though  fierce  children  of  the 
woods.  The  girl  was  sent  for,  that  she  might  stand  in  the 
presence  of  the  elders  of  the  nation. 

No  language  can  paint  the  sensation  with  which  Content 
first  looked  upon  this  adopted  daughter  of  the  savages. 
The  years  and  sex  were  in  accordance  with  his  wishes  ;  but 
in  place  of  the  golden  hair  and  azure  eyes  of  the  cherub  he 
had  lost,  there  appeared  a  girl  in  whose  jet-black  tresses  and 
equally  dark  organs  of  sight  he  might  better  trace  a  de- 
scendant of  the  French  of  the  tanadas,  than  one  sprung 


236  ilbe  Mept  of 


from  his  own  Saxon  lineage.  The  father  was  not  quick  of 
mind  in  the  ordinary  occupations  of  life,  but  nature  was 
now  big  within  him.  There  needed  no  second  glance  to 
say  how  cruelly  his  hopes  had  been  deceived.  A  smothered 
groan  struggled  from  his  chest,  and  then  his  self-command 
returned  with  the  imposing  grandeur  of  Christian  resigna- 
tion. He  arose,  and  thanking  the  chiefs  for  their  indulgence, 
he  made  no  secret  of  the  mistake  by  which  he  had  been  led 
so  far  on  a  fruitless  errand.  While  speaking,  the  signs  and 
gestures  of  Dudley  gave  him  reason  to  believe  that  his  com- 
panion had  something  of  importance  to  communicate.  In 
a  private  interview,  the  latter  suggested  the  expediency  of 
concealing  the  truth,  and  of  rescuing  the  child  they  had  in 
fact  discovered  from  the  hands  of  her  barbarous  masters. 
It  was  now  too  late  to  practise  a  deception  that  might  have 
availed  for  this  object,  had  the  stern  principles  of  Content 
permitted  the  artifice.  But  transferring  some  portion  of  the 
interest  which  he  felt  for  the  fortunes  of  his  own  offspring  to 
that  of  the  unknown  parent,  who  like  himself  most  prob- 
ably mourned  the  uncertain  fate  of  the  girl  before  him, 
he  tendered  the  ransom  intended  for  Ruth  in  behalf  of  the 
captive.  It  was  rejected.  Disappointed  in  both  their  ob- 
jects, the  adventurers  were  obliged  to  quit  the  village  with 
weary  feet  and  still  heavier  hearts. 

If  any  who  read  these  pages  have  ever  felt  the  agony  of 
suspense  in  a  matter  involving  the  best  of  human  affections, 
they  will  know  how  to  appreciate  the  sufferings  of  the 
mother  during  the  month  that  her  husband  was  absent  on 
this  holy  errand.  At  times  hope  brightened  around  her 
heart,  until  the  glow  of  pleasure  was  again  mantling  on  her 
cheek  and  playing  in  her  eye.  The  first  week  of  the 
adventure  was  one  almost  of  happiness.  The  hazards  of  the 
journey  were  nearly  forgotten  in  its  anticipated  results,  and 
though  occasional  apprehensions  quickened  the  pulses  of 
one  whose  system  answered  so  fearfully  to  the  movements 
of  the  spirit,  there  was  a  predominance  of  hope  in  all  her 
anticipations.  She  again  passed  among  her  maidens  with 
a  mien  in  which  joy  was  struggling  with  the  meekness  of 
subdued  habits,  and  her  smiles  once  more  began  to  beam 


Ube  Mept  of  Mfsb^UotWTCIlisfo          237 

with  renovated  happiness.  To  his  dying  day  old  Mark 
Heathcote  never  forgot  the  sudden  sensation  that  was 
created  by  the  soft  laugh  that  on  some  unexpected  occasion 
came  to  his  ear  from  the  lips  of  his  son's  wife.  Though 
years  had  elapsed  between  the  moment  when  that  unwonted 
sound  was  heard,  and  the  time  at  which  the  action  of  the 
tale  now  stands,  he  never  heard  it  repeated.  To  heighten 
the  feelings  which  were  now  uppermost  in  the  mind  of 
Ruth,  when  within  a  day's  march  of  the  village  to  which 
he  was  going,  Content  had  found  the  means  to  send  the 
tidings  of  his  prospects  of  success.  It  was  over  all  these 
renewed  wishes  that  disappointment  was  to  throw  its  chill, 
and  it  was  affections  thus  riveted  that  were  to  be  again 
blighted  by  the  cruellest  of  all  withering  influences, — that 
of  hope  defeated. 

It  was  near  the  hour  of  the  setting  of  the  sun  when 
Content  and  Dudley  reached  the  deserted  clearing  on  their 
return  to  the  valley.  Their  path  led  through  this  opening 
on  the  mountain-side,  and  there  was  one  point  among  the 
bushes  from  which  the  buildings  that  had  already  arisen 
from  the  ashes  of  the  burning  might  be  distinctly  seen. 
Until  now,  the  husband  and  father  had  believed  himself  equal 
to  any  effort  that  duty  might  require  in  the  progress  of  this 
mournful  service.  But  here  he  paused,  and  communicated 
a  wish  to  his  companion  that  he  would  go  ahead  and  break 
the  nature  of  the  deception  that  led  them  so  far  on  a  fruit- 
less mission.  Perhaps  Content  was  himself  ignorant  of  all 
he  wished,  or  to  what  unskilful  hands  he  had  confided  a 
commission  of  more  than  ordinary  delicacy.  He  merely 
felt  his  own  inability,  and  with  a  weakness  that  may  find 
some  apology  in  his  feelings,  he  saw  his  companion  depart 
without  instructions  or  indeed  without  any  other  guide 
than  Nature. 

Though  Faith  had  betrayed  no  marked  uneasiness  dur- 
ing the  absence  of  the  travellers,  her  quick  eye  was  the 
first  to  discover  the  form  of  her  husband,  as  he  came  with 
a  tired  step  across  the  fields,  in  the  direction  of  the  dwell- 
ings. I^ong  ere  Dudley  reached  the  house,  every  one  of 
its  inmates  had  assembled  in  the  piazza.  This  was  no 


238  TTbe  TKIlept  ot  Misb^UotWQfflisb 

meeting  of  turbulent  delight  or  of  clamorous  greetings. 
The  adventurer  drew  near  amid  a  silence  so  oppressive, 
that  it  utterly  disconcerted  a  studied  project,  by  which  he 
had  hoped  to  announce  his  tidings  in  a  manner  suited  to 
the  occasion.  His  hand  was  on  the  gate  of  the  little  court, 
and  still  none  spoke ;  his  foot  was  on  the  low  step,  and  yet 
no  voice  bade  him  welcome.  The  looks  of  the  little  group 
were  rather  fixed  on  the  features  of  Ruth  than  on  the  per- 
son of  him  who  approached.  Her  face  was  as  pallid  as  death, 
her  eye  contracted,  but  filled  with  the  mental  effort  that 
sustained  her,  and  her  lip  scarce  trembled,  as  in  obedience 
to  a  feeling  still  stronger  than  the  one  which  had  so  long 
oppressed  her,  she  exclaimed, — 

"  Kben  Dudley,  where  hast  thou  left  my  husband  ?  " 

"The  young  captain  was  foot- weary,  and  he  tarried  in 
the  second  growth  of  the  hill ;  but  so  brave  a  walker  can- 
not be  far  behind.  We  shall  see  him  soon,  at  the  opening 
by  the  dead  beech ;  and  it  is  there  that  I  recommend  the 
madam — ' ' 

* { It  was  thoughtful  in  Heathcote,  and  like  his  usual  kind- 
ness, to  devise  this  well-meant  caution,"  said  Ruth,  across 
whose  countenance  a  smile  so  radiant  passed,  that  it  im- 
parted the  expression  which  is  believed  to  characterize  the 
peculiar  benignancy  of  angels.  "  Still  it  was  unnecessary  ; 
for  he  should  have  known  that  we  place  our  strength  on 
the  Rock  of  Ages.  Tell  me,  in  what  manner  hath  my 
precious  one  borne  the  exceeding  weariness  of  thy  tangled 
route?" 

The  wandering  glance  of  the  messenger  had  gone  from 
face  to  face,  until  it  became  fastened  on  the  countenance  of 
his  own  wife,  in  a  settled,  unmeaning  gaze. 

''Nay,  Faith  hath  demeaned  well,  both  as  my  assistant 
and  as  thy  partner,  and  thou  mayst  see  that  her  comeliness 
is  in  no  degree  changed.  And  did  the  babe  falter  in  this 
weary  passage,  or  did  she  retard  thy  movements  by  her 
fretfulness  ?  But  I  know  thy  nature,  man ;  she  hath  been 
borne  over  many  long  miles  of  mountain-side  and  treacher- 
ous swamp  in  thine  own  vigorous  arms.  Thou  answerest 
not,  Dudley  ! ' '  exclaimed  Ruth,  taking  the  alarm,  and  lay- 


IKHept  of  Misb*zron==Misb          239 

ing  a  hand  firmly  on  the  shoulder  of  him  she  questioned ; 
as  forcing  his  half-averted  face  to  meet  her  eye,  she  seemed 
to  read  his  soul. 

The  muscles  of  the  sunburnt  and  strong  features  of  the 
borderer  worked  involuntarily,  his  broad  chest  swelled  to 
its  utmost  expansion,  big  burning  drops  rolled  out  upon  his 
brown  cheeks,  and  then  taking  the  arm  of  Ruth  in  one  of 
his  own  powerful  hands,  he  compelled  her  to  release  her 
hold,  with  a  firm  but  respectful  exercise  of  his  strength ; 
and  thrusting  the  form  of  his  own  wife  without  ceremony 
aside,  he  passed  through  the  circle,  and  entered  the  dwell- 
ing with  the  tread  of  a  giant. 

The  head  of  Ruth  dropped  upon  her  bosom,  the  paleness 
again  came  over  her  cheeks,  and  it  was  then  that  the  in- 
ward look  of  the  eye  might  first  be  seen,  which  afterwards 
became  so  constant  and  so  painful  an  expression  in  her 
countenance.  From  that  hour  to  the  time  in  which  the 
family  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish  is  again  brought  immediately 
before  the  reader,  no  further  rumors  were  ever  heard,  to 
lessen  or  increase  the  wasting  regrets  of  her  bosom. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

"  Sir,  he  hath  never  fed  of  the  dainties  that  are  bred  in  a  book  ;  he 
hath  not  eaten  paper,  as  it  were ;  he  hath  not  drunk  ink  ;  his  intellect 
is  not  replenished  ;  he  is  only  an  animal — only  sensible  in  the  duller 
parts." 

Lovers  Labor  >s  Lost. 

"  T"  T  ERK  cometh  Faith,  to  bring  us  tidings  of  the 
hamlet, ' '  said  the  husband  of  the  woman  whose 

J__  \_  character  we  have  so  feebly  sketched,  as  he  took 
his  seat  on  the  piazza,  at  the  early  hour  and  in 
the  group  already  mentioned.  "The  ensign  hath  been 
abroad  on  the  hills  throughout  the  night,  with  a  chosen 
party  of  our  people  ;  and  perchance  she  hath  been  sent  with 
the  substance  that  they  have  gathered  concerning  the  un- 
known trail." 

"The  heavy-footed  Dudley  hath  scarce  mounted  to  the 
dividing  ridge,  where  report  goeth  the  prints  of  moccasins 
were  seen,"  observed  a  young  man,  who  in  his  person  bore 
all  the  evidences  of  an  active  and  healthful  manhood.  "  Of 
what  service  is  the  scouting  that  faileth  of  the  necessary 
distance,  by  the  weariness  of  its  leader  ?  ' ' 

1 '  If  thou  believest,  boy,  that  thy  young  foot  is  equal  to 
contend  with  the  sinews  of  Eben  Dudley,  there  may  be 
occasion  to  show  the  magnitude  of  thy  error,  ere  the  dan- 
ger of  this  Indian  out-breaking  shall  pass  away.  Thou  art 
too  stubborn  of  will,  Mark,  to  be  yet  trusted  with  the  lead- 
ing of  parties  that  may  hold  the  safety  of  all  who  dwell  in 
the  Wish-Ton-Wish  within  their  keeping." 

The  young  man  looked  displeased ;  but,  fearful  that  his 
father  might  observe  and  misinterpret  his  humor  into  a 
personal  disrespect,  he  turned  away,  permitting  his  frown- 

240 


'Cbe  Wept  of  Mi8b*tton*Wisb          241 

ing  eye  to  rest  for  an  instant  on  the  timid  and  stolen  glance 
of  a  maiden  whose  cheek  was  growing  like  the  eastern  sky, 
as  she  busied  herself  with  the  preparations  of  the  table. 

' '  What  welcome  news  dost  bring  from  the  sign  of  the 
Whip- Poor- Will  ?"  Content  asked  of  the  woman  who  had 
now  come  within  the  little  gate  of  his  court.  ' '  Hast  seen 
the  ensign  since  the  party  took  the  hill-paths ;  or  is  it 
some  traveller  who  hath  charged  thee  with  matter  for  our 
ears?" 

*  *  Eye  of  man  hath  not  seen  the  man  since  he  girded 
himself  with  the  sword  of  office, ' '  returned  Faith,  entering 
the  piazza  and  nodding  salutation  to  those  around  her ; 
'  *  and  as  for  strangers,  when  the  clock  shall  strike  noon,  it 
will  be  one  month  to  the  day  that  the  last  of  them  was 
housed  within  my  doors.  But  I  complain  not  of  the  want 
of  custom,  as  the  ensign  would  never  quit  the  bar  and  his 
gossip  to  go  into  the  mountain-lots,  so  long  as  there  was 
one  to  fill  his  ears  with  the  marvels  of  the  old  countries, 
or  even  to  discourse  of  the  home-stirrings  of  the  colonies 
themselves." 

' '  Thou  speakest  lightly,  Faith,  of  one  who  merits  th}>- 
respect  and  thy  duty." 

The  eye  of  the  former  studied  the  meek  countenance  of 
her  from  whom  this  reproof  came,  with  an  intenseness  and 
a  melancholy  that  showed  her  thoughts  were  on  other  mat- 
ters, and  then,  as  if  suddenly  recalled  to  what  had  passed, 
she  resumed, — 

"  Truly,  what  with  duty  to  the  man  as  a  husband,  and 
respect  to  him  as  an  officer  of  the  colony,  Madam  Heath- 
cote,  the  task  is  not  one  of  easy  bearing.  If  the  king's 
representative  had  given  the  colors  to  my  brother  Reuben, 
and  left  the  Dudley  with  the  halberd  in  his  hand,  the  pre- 
ferment would  have  been  ample  for  one  of  his  qualities,  and 
all  the  better  for  the  credit  of  the  settlement." 

"The  governor  distributed  his  favor  according  to  the 
advice  of  men  competent  to  distinguish  merit,"  said  Con- 
tent. c  *  Eben  was  foremost  in  the  bloody  affair  among  the 
people  of  the  Plantations,  where  his  manhood  was  of  good 
example  to  all  in  company.  Should  he  continue  as  faithful 

16  - 


242          Ube  Mept  of  Wteb*UotWBGlisb 

and  as  valiant,  thou  mayst  yet  live  to  see  thyself  the  consort 
of  a  captain  ! ' ' 

"  Not  for  glory  gained  in  this  night's  marching  ;  for  yon- 
der cometh  the  man  with  a  sound  body,  and  seemingly 
with  the  stomach  of  a  Caesar — ay,  and  I  '11  answer  for  it, 
of  a  regiment  too !  It  is  no  trifle  that  will  satisfy  his  ap- 
petite, after  one  of  these — ha  !  Pray  Heaven  the  fellow 
be  not  harmed.  Truly,  he  hath  our  neighbor  Ergot  in 
attendance." 

"  There  is  other  than  he  too  ;  for  one  cometh  in  the  rear 
whose  gait  and  air  are  unknown  to  me.  The  trail  hath 
been  struck,  and  Dudley  leadeth  a  captive  !  A  savage,  in 
his  paint  and  cloak  of  skin,  is  taken." 

This  assertion  caused  all  to  rise — for  the  excitement  of  an 
apprehended  inroad  was  still  strong  in  the  minds  of  those 
secluded  people.  Not  a  syllable  more  was  uttered  until  the 
scout  and  his  companions  were  before  them. 

The  quick  glance  of  Faith  had  scanned  the  person  of  her 
husband,  and,  resuming  her  spirits  with  the  certainty  that 
he  was  unharmed,  she  was  the  first  to  greet  him  with 
words : — 

"  How  now,  Ensign  Dudley,"  said  the  woman,  quite  pos- 
sibly vexed  that  she  had  unguardedly  betrayed  a  greater 
interest  in  his  welfare  than  she  might  always  deem  prudent. 
"%How  now,  ensign — hath  the  campaign  ended  with  no 
better  trophy  than  this  ?  " 

"  The  fellow  is  not  a  chief,  nor,  by  his  step  and  dull  look, 
even  a  warrior ;  but  he  was,  nevertheless,  a  lurker  nigh  the 
settlements,  and  it  was  thought  prudent  to  bring  him  in," 
returned  the  husband,  addressing  himself  to  Content,  while 
he  answered  the  salutation  of  his  wife  with  a  sufficiently 
brief  nod.  ' '  My  own  scouting  hath  brought  nothing  to  light ; 
but  my  brother  Ring  hath  fallen  on  the  trail  of  him  that  is 
here  present,  and  it  is  not  a  little  that  we  are  puzzled  in 
probing,  as  the  good  Dr.  Ergot  calleth  it,  into  the  meaning 
of  his  errand." 

"  Of  what  tribe  may  the  savage  be?  " 

"There  hath  been  discussion  among  us  on  that  matter," 
returned  Dudley,  with  an  oblique  glance  of  the  eye  towards 


TPdept  of  Wisb^otWlKIUsb          243 

the  physician.  * '  Some  have  said  he  is  a  Narragansett,  while 
others  think  he  cometh  of  a  stock  still  further  east. ' ' 

"  In  giving  that  opinion,  I  spoke  merely  of  his  secondary 
or  acquired  habits, ' '  interrupted  Ergot ;  ' '  for,  having  refer- 
ence to  his  original,  the  man  is  assuredly  a  white." 

"  A  white  !  "  repeated  all  around  him. 

' '  Beyond  a  cavil,  as  may  be  seen  by  divers  particulars  in 
his  outward  conformation,  namely,  in  the  shape  of  the  head, 
the  muscles  of  the  arms  and  of  the  legs,  the  air  and  gait, 
besides  sundry  other  signs,  that  are  familiar  to  men  who 
have  made  the  physical  peculiarities  of  the  two  races  their 
study." 

' '  One  of  which  is  this  ! ' '  continued  Dudley,  throwing  up 
the  robe  of  the  captive,  and  giving  his  companions  the  ocular 
evidence  which  had  so  satisfactorily  removed  all  his  own 
doubts.  "  Though  the  color  of  the  skin  may  not  be  proof 
positive,  like  that  named  by  our  neighbor  Ergot,  it  is  still 
something,  in  helping  a  man  of  little  learning  to  make  up 
an  opinion  in  such  a  matter. ' ' 

' '  Madam  !  ' '  exclaimed  Faith  so  suddenly  as  to  cause  her 
she  addressed  to  start,  "for  the  sake  of  Heaven's  mercy! 
let  thy  maidens  bring  soap  and  water,  that  the  face  of  this 
man  may  be  cleansed  of  its  paint." 

"What  foolishness  is  thy  brain  set  upon?  "  rejoined  the 
ensign,  who  had  latterly  affected  some  of  that  superior 
gravity  which  might  be  supposed  to  belong  to  his  official 
station.  "We  are  not  now  under  the  roof  of  the  Whip- 
Poor- Will,  wife  of  mine,  but  in  the  presence  of  those  who 
need  none  of  thy  suggestions  to  give  proper  forms  to  an 
examination  of  office. ' ' 

Faith  heeded  no  reproof.  Instead  of  waiting  for  others  to 
perform  that  which  she  had  desired,  she  applied  herself  to 
the  task,  with  a  dexterity  that  had  been  acquired  by  long 
practice,  and  a  zeal  that  seemed  awakened  by  some  extraor- 
dinary emotion.  In  a  minute  the  colors  had  disappeared 
from  the  features  of  the  captive,  and,  though  deeply  tanned 
by  exposure  to  an  American  sun  and  to  sultry  winds,  his 
face  was  unequivocally  that  of  one  who  owed  his  origin  to  an 
European  ancestry.  The  movements  of  the  eager  woman 


244  ~bc   cUcpt  of 


watched  with  carious  interest  by  all  present,  and  when 
the  short  task  was  ended,  a  murmur  of  surprise  broke 
simultaneously  from  every  lip. 

"There  is  meaning  in  this  masquerade,"  observed  Con- 
tent, who  had  long  and  intently  studied  the  dull  and  un- 
gainly countenance  that  was  exposed  to  his  scrutiny  by  the 
operation.  "  I  have  heard  of  Christian  men  who  have  sold 
themselves  to  gain,  and  who,  forgetting  religion  and  the 
love  of  their  race,  have  been  known  to  league  with  the 
savage  in  order  to  pursue  rapine  in  the  settlements.  This 
wretch  hath  the  subtlety  of  one  of  the  French  of  the 

C4>Tiafb»<g  in  Tri«s  eye." 

"  Away !  away ! "  cried  Faith,  forcing  herself  in  front  of 
the  speaker,  and,  by  placing  her  two  hands  on  the  shaven 
crown  of  the  prisoner,  forming  a  sort  of  shade  to  his  features. 
"Away  with  all  folly  about  the  Frenchers  and  wicked 
leagues !  This  is  no  plotting  miscreant,  but  a  stricken  in- 
nocent, Whittal— my  brother  Whittal,  dost  know  me?" 

The  tears  rolled  down  the  cheeks  of  the  wayward  woman 
as  she  gazed  into  the  face  of  her  witless  relative,  whose  eye 
lighted  with  one  of  its  occasional  gleamings  of  intelligence, 
and  who  indulged  in  a  low,  vacant  laugh,  ere  he  answered 
her  earnest  interrogatory. 

" Some  speak  like  men  from  over  the  sea,"  he  said,  "and 
some  speak  like  men  of  the  woods.  Is  there  such  a  thing  as 
bear's  meat  or  a  mouthful  of  hominy  in  the  wigwam  ?  " 

Had  the  voice  of  one  long  known  to  be  in  the  grave  broken 
on  the  ears  of  the  family,  it  would  scarcely  have  produced  a 
deeper  sensation,  or  have  quickened  the  blood  more  violently 
about  their  hearts,  than  this  sudden  and  utterly  unexpected 
discovery  of  the  rfiarsiffg*r  of  their  captive.  Wonder  and 
awe  held  them  mute  for  a  time,  and  then  Ruth  was  seen 
standing  before  the  restored  wanderer,  her  hands  clasped  in 
the  attitude  of  petition,  her  eye  contracted  and  imploring, 
and  her  whole  person  expressive  of  the  suspense  and  excite- 
ment which  had  roused  her  long  latent  emotions  to  agony. 

"Tefl  me,"  said  a  thrilling  voice  that  might  have  quick- 
ened the  intellect  of  one  even  duller  than  the  man  addressed, 
"  as  thou  hast  pity  in  thy  heart,  teU  me  if  my  babe  yet  tive?" 


IClept  of  Idisb^OTWGClisb  245 

"  *T  is  a  good  babe, ' '  returned  the  other,  and  then  laughing 
again  in  his  own  vacant  and  unmeaning  manner,  he  bent  his 
eyes  with  a  species  of  stupid  wonder  on  Faith,  in  whose  ap- 
pearance there  was  far  less  change  than  in  the  speaking  but 
wasted  countenance  of  her  who  stood  immediately  before  him. 

"Give  leave,  dearest  madam,"  interposed  the  sister;  "I 
know  the  nature  of  the  boy,  and  could  ever  do  more  with 
him  than  any  other." 

But  this  request  was  useless.  The  system  of  the  mother, 
in  its  present  state  of  excitement,  was  unequal  to  further 
effort.  Sinking  into  the  watchful  arms  of  Content,  she  was 
borne  away,  and,  for  a  minute,  the  anxious  interest  of  the 
handmaidens  left  none  but  the  men  on  the  piazza. 

"Whittal— my  old  playfellow,  Whittal  Ring,"  said  the 
son  of  Content,  advancing  with  a  humid  eye  to  take  the 
hand  of  the  prisoner.  "Hast  forgotten,  man,  the  com- 
panion of  thy  early  days?  It  is  young  Mark  Heathcote 
that  speaks." 

The  other  looked  up  into  his  countenance,  for  a  moment, 
with  a  reviving  recollection;  but  shaking  his  head,  he  drew 
back  in  marked  displeasure,  muttering  loud  enough  to  be 
heard, — 

"What  a  false  liar  is  a  pale-face!  Here  is  one  of  the 
tall  rogues  wishing  to  pass  for  a  loping  boy!  " 

What  more  he  uttered  his  auditors  never  knew,  for  he 
instanth-  changed  his  language  to  some  dialect  of  an  Indian 
tribe. 

"The  mind  of  the  unhappy  youth  hath  even  been  more 
blunted,  by  exposure  and  the  usages  of  a  savage  life,  than 
by  nature,"  said  Content,  who  with  most  of  the  others  had 
been  recalled,  by  his  interest  in  the  examination,  to  the 
scene  they  had  momentarily  quitted.  "Let  the  sister  deal 
tenderly  with  the  lad,  and,  in  Heaven's  time,  shall  we  learn 
the  truth." 

The  deep  feeling  of  ttie  father  clothed  his  words  with 
authority.  The  eager  group  gave  place,  and  something  like 
the  solemnity  of  an  official  examination  succeeded  to  the 
irregular  and  hurried  interrogatories  which  had  first  broken 
on  the  dull  intellect  of  the  recovered  wanderer. 


246          Ube  Mept  of 


The  dependants  took  their  stations  in  a  circle  around  the 
chair  of  the  Puritan,  by  whose  side  was  placed  Content, 
while  Faith  induced  her  brother  to  be  seated  on  the  step  of 
the  piazza,  in  a  manner  that  all  might  hear.  The  attention 
of  the  brother  himself  was  drawn  from  the  formality  of  the 
arrangement,  by  placing  food  in  his  hands. 

"And  now,  Whittal,  I  would  know,"  commenced  the 
ready  woman,  when  a  deep  silence  denoted  the  attention  of 
the  auditors,  "  I  would  know,  if  thou  rememberest  the  day 
I  clad  thee  in  garments  of  bough  ten  cloth,  from  over  sea ; 
and  how  fond  thou  wast  of  being  seen  among  the  kine  in 
colors  so  gay  ?  ' ' 

The  young  man  looked  up  in  her  face  as  if  the  tones  of 
her  voice  gave  him  pleasure  ;  but,  instead  of  making  any 
reply,  he  preferred  to  munch  the  bread  with  which  she  had 
endeavored  to  lure  him  back  to  their  ancient  confidence. 

"Surely,  boy,  thou  canst  not  so  soon  have  forgotten  the 
gift  I  bought  with  the  hard  earnings  of  a  wheel  that  turned 
at  night.  The  tail  of  yon  peacock  is  not  finer  than  thou 
then  wast — but  I  will  make  thee  such  another  garment, 
that  thou  mayst  go  with  the  trainers  to  their  weekly  mus- 
ter." 

The  youth  dropped  the  robe  of  skin  that  covered  the 
upper  part  of  his  body,  and  making  a  forward  gesture,  with 
the  gravity  of  an  Indian,  he  answered, — 

4 '  Whittal  is  a  warrior  on  his  path  ;  he  has  no  time  for 
the  talk  of  the  women  ! ' ' 

"  Now,  brother,  thou  forgettest  the  manner  in  which  I 
was  wont  to  feed  thy  hunger,  as  the  frost  pinched  thee,  in 
the  cold  mornings,  and  at  the  hour  when  the  kine  needed 
thy  care  ;  else  thou  wouldst  not  call  me  woman." 

"Hast  ever  been  on  the  trail  of  a  Pequot?  Know'st 
how  to  whoop  among  the  men  ? ' ' 

"  What  is  an  Indian  whoop  to  the  bleating  of  the  flocks 
or  the  bellowing  of  cattle  in  the  bushes  !  Thou  remem- 
berest the  sound  of  the  bells,  as  they  tinkled  among  the 
second  growth  of  an  evening  ?  ' ' 

The  former  herdsman  turned  his  head,  and  seemed  to 
lend  his  attention,  as  a  dog  listens  to  an  approaching  foot- 


Ube  TKHept  of  Misb^oiWlKIiisb          247 

step.  But  the  gleam  of  recollection  was  quickly  lost.  In 
the  next  moment,  he  yielded  to  the  more  positive,  and  pos- 
sibly more  urgent,  demands  of  his  appetite. 

'  *  Then  hast  thou  lost  the  use  of  ears  ;  else  thou  wouldst 
not  say  that  thou  forgettest  the  sound  of  the  bells. ' ' 

* '  Didst  ever  hear  a  wolf  howl  ?  ' '  exclaimed  the  other. 
"  That  's  a  sound  for  a  hunter  !  I  saw  the  Great  Chief 
strike  the  striped  panther,  when  the  boldest  warrior  of  the 
tribe  grew  white  as  a  craven  pale- face  at  his  leaps  ! ' '' 

"Talk  not  to  me  of  your  ravenous  beasts  and  Great 
Chiefs,  but  rather  let  us  think  of  the  days  when  we  were 
young,  and  when  thou  hadst  delight  in  the  sports  of  a 
Christian  childhood.  Hast  forgotten,  Whittal,  how  our 
mother  used  to  give  us  leave  to  pass  the  idle  time  in  games 
among  the  snow  ?  ' ' 

' '  Nipset  hath  a  mother  in  her  wigwam,  but  he  asketh  no 
leave  to  go  on  the  hunt.  He  is  a  man  ;  the  next  snow, 
he  will  be  a  warrior." 

' '  Silly  boy  !  This  is  some  treachery  of  the  savage,  by 
which  he  has  bound  thy  weakness  with  the  fetters  of  his 
craftiness.  Thy  mother,  Whittal,  was  a  woman  of  Chris- 
tian  belief,  and  one  of  a  white  race  ;  and  a  kind  and  mourn- 
ing mother  was  she  over  thy  feeble-mindedness  !  Dost  not 
remember,  unthankful  of  heart !  how  she  nursed  thy  sickly 
hours  in  boyhood,  and  how  she  administered  to  all  thy 
bodily  wants  ?  Who  was  it  that  fed  thee  when  a-hungered, 
or  who  had  compassion  on  thy  waywardness,  when  others 
tired  of  thy  idle  deeds,  or  grew  impatient  at  thy  weak- 
ness?" 

The  brother  looked,  for  an  instant,  at  the  flushed  features 
of  the  speaker,  as  if  glimmerings  of  some  faintly  distin- 
guished scenes  crossed  the  visions  of  his  mind  ;  but  the 
animal  still  predominated,  and  he  continued  to  feed  his 
hunger. 

"This  exceedeth  human  endurance!"  exclaimed  the 
excited  Faith.  "  I,ook  into  this  eye,  weak  one,  and  say  if 
thou  knowest  her  who  supplied  the  place  of  that  mother 
whom  thou  refusest  to  remember — she  who  hath  toiled  for 
thy  comfort,  and  who  hath  never  refused  to  listen  to  all  thy 


248          TTbe  Wept  of 


plaints,  and  to  soften  all  thy  sufferings.  L,ook  at  this  eye, 
and  speak  —  dost  know  me  ?  '  ' 

"  Certain!  "  returned  the  other,  laughing  with  a  half- 
intelligent  expression  of  recognition  ;  "'t  is  a  woman  of  the 
pale-faces,  and,  I  warrant  me,  one  that  will  never  be  satis- 
fied till  she  hath  all  the  furs  of  the  Americas  on  her  back, 
and  all  the  venison  of  the  woods  in  her  kitchen.  Didst 
ever  hear  the  tradition,  how  that  wicked  race  got  into 
the  hunting-grounds,  and  robbed  the  warriors  of  the 
country  ?  *  ' 

The  disappointment  of  Faith  had  made  her  too  impatient 
to  lend  a  pleased  attention  to  this  tale  ;  but  at  that  moment 
a  form  appeared  at  her  side,  and  by  a  quiet  and  com- 
manding gesture  directed  her  to  humor  the  temper  of  the 
wanderer. 

It  was  Ruth,  in  whose  pale  cheek  and  anxious  eye,  all 
the  intenseness  of  a  mother's  longings  might  be  traced,  in 
its  most  touching  aspect.  Though  so  lately'  helpless  and 
sinking  beneath  her  emotions,  the  sacred  feelings  which  now 
sustained  her  seemed  to  supply  the  place  of  all  other  aid  ; 
and  as  she  glided  past  the  listening  circle,  even  Content 
himself  had  not  believed  it  necessary  to  offer  succor,  or  to 
interpose  with  remonstrance.  Her  quiet,  meaning  gesture 
seemed  to  say,  "  Proceed,  and  show  all  the  indulgence  to  the 
weakness  of  the  young  man."  The  rising  discontent  of 
Faith  was  checked  by  habitual  reverence,  and  she  prepared 
to  obey. 

"  And  what  say  the  silly  traditions  of  which  you  speak  ?  " 
she  added,  ere  the  current  of  his  dull  ideas  had  time  to 
change  its  direction. 

"  'Tis  spoken  by  the  old  men  in  the  villages,  and  what 
is  there  said  is  gospel-true.  You  see  all  around  you  land 
that  is  covered  with  hill  and  valley,  and  which  once  bore 
wood,  without  the  fear  of  the  axe,  and  over  which  game 
was  spread  with  a  bountiful  hand.  There  are  runners  and 
hunters  in  our  tribe,  who  have  been  on  a  straight  path 
towards  the  setting  sun,  until  their  legs  were  weary  and 
their  eyes  could  not  see  the  clouds  that  hang  over  the  salt 
lake,  and  yet  they  say  't  is  everywhere  beautiful  as  yonder 


TTbe  Wept  of  Wteb^TTotWCflUsb          249 

green  mountain.  Tall  trees  and  shady  woods,  rivers  and 
lakes  filled  with  fish,  and  deer  and  beaver  plentiful  as  the 
sands  on  the  sea-shore.  All  this  land  and  water  the  Great 
Spirit  gave  to  men  of  red  skins ;  for  them  he  loved,  since 
they  spoke  truth  in  their  tribes,  were  true  to  their  friends, 
hated  their  enemies,  and  knew  how  to  take  scalps.  Now, 
a  thousand  snows  had  come  and  melted,  since  this  gift  was 
made,"  continued  Whittal,  who  spoke  with  the  air  of  one 
charged  with  the  narration  of  a  grave  tradition,  though  he 
probably  did  no  more  than  relate  what  many  repetitions 
had  rendered  familiar  to  his  inactive  mind,  ' '  and  yet  none 
but  redskins  were  seen  to  hunt  the  moose,  or  to  go  on  the 
war-path.  Then  the  Great  Spirit  grew  angry ;  he  hid  his 
face  from  his  children  because  they  quarrelled  among  them- 
selves. Big  canoes  came  out  of  the  rising  sun,  and  brought 
a  hungry  and  wicked  people  into  the  land.  At  first,  the 
strangers  spoke  soft  and  complaining  like  women.  They 
begged  room  for  a  few  wigwams,  and  said  if  the  warriors 
would  give  them  ground  to  plant  they  would  ask  their  God 
to  look  upon  the  redmen.  But  when  they  grew  strong 
they  forgot  their  words  and  made  liars  of  themselves.  Oh, 
they  are  wicked  knaves  !  A  pale-face  is  a  panther.  When 
a-hungered,  you  can  hear  him  whining  in  the  bushes  like  a 
strayed  infant ;  but  when  you  come  within  his  leap,  beware 
of  tooth  and  claw  !  " 

"This  evil-minded  race,  then,  robbed  the  red  warriors 
of  their  land?" 

"  Certain  !  They  spoke  like  sick  women  till  they  grew 
strong,  and  then  they  out-devilled  the  Pequots  themselves 
in  wickedness  ;  feeding  the  warriors  with  their  burning 
milk,  and  slaying  with  blazing  inventions,  that  they  made 
out  of  the  yellow  meal." 

' '  And  the  Pequots  !  was  their  great  warrior  dead  before 
the  coming  of  the  men  from  over  sea  ? ' ' 

"  You  are  a  woman  that  has  never  heard  a  tradition,  or 
you  would  know  better  !  A  Pequot  is  a  weak  and  crawling 
cub." 

"And  thou— thou  art,  then,  a  Narragansett  ?  " 

"  Don't  I  look  like  a  man  ? "  ' 


250          Ube  Wept  of 


*  *  I  had  mistaken  thee  for  one  of  our  nearer  neighbors, 
the  Mohegan  Pequots." 

'  '  The  Mohicans  are  basket-makers  for  the  Yengeese  ; 
but  the  Narragansett  goes  leaping  through  the  woods  like 
a  wolf  on  the  trail  of  the  deer  !  '  ' 

"  All  this  is  quite  in  reason,  and  now  thou  pointest  to  its 
justice,  I  cannot  fail  but  see  it.  But  we  have  curiosity  to 
know  more  of  the  great  tribe.  Hast  ever  heard  of  one  of 
thy  people,  Whittal,  known  as  Miantonimoh  —  'tis  a  chief 
of  some  renown." 

The  witless  youth  had  continued  to  eat  at  intervals,  but, 
on  hearing  this  question,  he  seemed  suddenly  to  forget  his 
appetite.  For  a  moment  he  looked  down,  and  then  he 
answered  slowly  and  not  without  solemnity,  — 

'  '  A  man  cannot  live  forever.  '  ' 

"  What  ?  "  said  Faith,  motioning  to  her  deeply-interested 
auditors  to  restrain  their  impatience,  "  has  he  quitted  his 
people  ?  And  thou  lived  with  him,  Whittal,  ere  he  came 
to  his  end?" 

"  He  never  looked  on  Nipset,  or  Nipset  on  him." 

''I  know  naught  of  this  Nipset;  tell  me  of  the  great 
Miantonimoh.  '  ' 

"  Dost  need  to  hear  twice?  The  sachem  is  gone  to  the 
far  land,  and  Nipset  will  be  a  warrior  when  the  next  snow 
comes  !  '  ' 

Disappointment  threw  a  cloud  on  every  countenance,  and 
the  beam  of  hope,  which  had  been  kindled  in  the  eye  of 
Ruth,  changed  to  the  former  painful  expression  of  deep 
inward  suffering.  But  Faith  still  managed  to  repress  all 
speech  among  those  who  listened,  continuing  the  examina- 
tion, after  a  short  delay  that  her  vexation  rendered  un- 
avoidable. 

"  I  had  thought  that  Miantonimoh  was  still  a  warrior  in 
his  tribe,"  she  said.  "  In  what  battle  did  he  fall  ?  " 

"  Mohican  Uncas  did  that  wicked  deed.  The  pale-men 
gave  him  great  riches  to  murder  the  sachem." 

"Thou  speakest  of  the  father;  but  there  was  another 
Miantonimoh  ;  he  who  in  boyhood  dwelt  among  the  people 
of  white  blood." 


ZTbe  IPHept  of  Wfsb*Tron*Misb          251 

Whittal  listened  attentively,  and  after  seeming  to  rally  his 
thoughts,  he  shook  his  head,  saying  before  he  again  began 
to  eat,— 

' '  There  never  was  but  one  of  the  name,  and  there  never 
will  be  another.  Two  eagles  do  not  build  their  nests  in  the 
same  tree." 

'  *  Thou  sayest  truly, ' '  continued  Faith,  well  knowing  that 
to  dispute  the  information  of  her  brother  was,  in  effect,  to 
close  his  mouth.  "  Now  tell  me  of  Conanchet,  the  present 
Narragansett  sachem, — he  who  hath  leagued  with  Metacom, 
and  hath  of  late  been  driven  from  his  fastness  near  the  sea, 
— doth  he  yet  live?  " 

The  expression  of  the  brother's  countenance  underwent 
another  change.  In  place  of  the  childish  importance  with 
which  he  had  hitherto  replied  to  the  questions  of  his  sister, 
a  look  of  overreaching  cunning  gathered  about  his  dull  eye. 
The  organ  glanced  slowly  and  cautiously  around  him,  as  if 
its  owner  expected  to  detect  some  visible  sign  of  those  covert 
intentions  he  so  evidently  distrusted.  Instead  of  answering, 
the  wanderer  continued  his  meal ,  though  less  like  one  who 
had  need  of  sustenance,  than  one  resolved  to  make  no  commu- 
nications which  might  prove  dangerous.  This  change  was 
not  unobserved  by  Faith,  nor  by  any  of  those  who  so  in- 
tently watched  the  means  by  which  she  had  been  endeavor- 
ing to  thread  the  confused  ideas  of  one  so  dull,  and  yet  who 
at  need  seemed  so  practised  in  savage  artifice.  She  pru- 
dently altered  her  manner  of  interrogating  by  endeavoring 
to  lead  his  thoughts  to  other  matters. 

"I  warrant  me,"  continued  the  sister,  "that  thou  now 
beginnest  to  call  to  mind  the  times  when  thou  led'st  the 
cattle  among  the  bushes,  and  how  thou  wert  wont  to  call  on 
Faith  to  give  thee  food,  when  a-weary  with  threading  the 
woods  in  quest  of  the  kine.  Hast  ever  been  assailed  by  the 
Narragansetts  thyself,  Whittal,  when  dwelling  in  the  house 
of  a  pale-face  ?  ' ' 

The  brother  ceased  eating.  Again  he  appeared  to  muse, 
as  intently  as  was  possible  for  one  of  his  circumscribed  intel- 
lects. But  shaking  his  head  in,  the  negative,  he  silently 
resumed  the  grateful  office  of  mastication. 


252          ftbe  Wept  ot 


"  What  !  hast  come  to  be  a  warrior,  and  never  known  a 
scalp  taken,  or  seen  a  fire  lighted  in  the  roof  of  a  wigwam  ?  " 

Whittal  laid  down  the  food,  and  turned  to  his  sister. 
His  face  was  teeming  with  a  wild  and  fierce  meaning,  and 
he  indulged  in  a  low  but  triumphant  laugh.  When  this 
exhibition  of  satisfaction  was  over,  he  consented  to  reply. 

"  Certain,"  he  said.  "  We  went  on  a  path  in  the  night, 
against  the  lying  Yengeese,  and  no  burning  of  the  woods 
ever  scorched  the  'arthas  we  blackened  their  fields  !  All 
their  proud  housen  were  turned  into  piles  of  coals.  '  ' 

*  '  And  where  and  when  did  you  this  act  of  brave  ven- 
geance ?  '  ' 

'  '  They  called  the  place  after  the  bird  of  night  ;  as  if  an 
Indian  name  could  save  them  from  an  Indian  massacre  !  '  ' 

"  Ha  !  JT  is  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish  thou  speakest  !  But 
thou  wast  a  sufferer,  and  not  an  actor,  brother,  in  that  heart- 
less burning." 

4  'Thou  liest  like  a  wicked  woman  of  the  pale-faces  as 
thou  art  !  Nipset  was  only  a  boy  on  that  path,  but  he  went 
with  his  people.  I  tell  thee  we  singed  the  very  'arth  with 
our  brands,  and  not  a  head  of  them  all  ever  rose  again  from 
the  ashes." 

Notwithstanding  her  great  self-command,  and  the  object 
that  was  constantly  before  the  mind  of  Faith,  she  shuddered 
at  the  fierce  pleasure  with  which  her  brother  pronounced 
the  extent  of  the  vengeance  that  in  his  imaginary  character 
he  believed  he  had  taken  on  his  enemies.  Still,  cautious 
not  to  destroy  an  illusion  which  might  aid  her  in  the  so 
long-defeated  and  so  anxiously  desired  discovery,  the  woman 
repressed  her  horror,  and  continued,  — 

'  '  True,  —  yet  some  were  spared  ;  surely  the  warriors  carried 
prisoners  back  to  their  village.  Thou  didst  not  slay  all  ?  " 

"  All." 

"Nay;  thou  speakest  now  of  the  miserables  who  were 
wrapped  in  the  blazing  block  ;  but  —  but  some  without  might 
have  fallen  into  thy  hands,  ere  the  assailed  sought  shelter 
in  the  tower.  Surely,  surely  thou  didst  not  kill  all  ?  " 

The  hard  breathing  of  Ruth  caught  the  ear  of  Whittal, 
and  for  a  moment  he  turned  to  regard  her  countenance  in 


TTbe  Wept  of  Wfsb^otWCfllteb          253 

dull  wonder.  But  again  shaking  his  head,  he  answered  in  a 
low,  positive  tone, — 

' '  All — ay,  to  the  screeching  women  and  crying  babes  !  * ' 

"  Surely,  there  is  a  child, — I  would  say  there  is  a  woman 
in  thy  tribe  of  fairer  skin  and  of  form  different  from  most 
of  thy  people.  Was  not  such  an  one  led  a  captive  from  the 
burning  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish  ?  ' ' 

' '  Dost  think  the  deer  will  live  with  the  wolf,  or  hast  ever 
found  the  cowardly  pigeon  in  the  nest  of  the  hawk  ?  '  * 

"Nay,  thou  art  of  different  color  thyself,  Whittal,  and  it 
well  may  be  thou  art  not  alone. ' ' 

The  youth  regarded  his  sister  a  moment  with  marked 
displeasure,  and  then  on  turning  to  eat  he  muttered, — 

' '  There  is  as  much  fire  in  snow  as  truth  in  a  lying  Yen- 
geese  ! ' ' 

"This  examination  must  close,"  said  Content,  with  a 
heavy  sigh  ;  '  *  at  another  hour  we  may  hope  to  push  the 
matter  to  some  more  fortunate  result ;  but  yonder  cometh 
one  charged  with  especial  service  from  the  towns  below,  as 
would  seem  by  the  fact  that  he  disregardeth  the  holiness  of 
the  day,  no  less  than  by  the  earnest  manner  in  which  he  is 
journeying. " 

As  the  individual  named  was  visible  to  all  who  chose  to  look 
in  the  direction  of  the  hamlet,  his  sudden  appearance  caused 
a  general  interruption  to  the  interest  which  had  been  so 
strongly  awakened  on  a  subject  that  was  familiar  to  every 
resident  in  the  valley. 

The  early  hour,  the  gait  at  which  the  stranger  urged  his 
horse,  the  manner  in  which  he  passed  the  open  and  inviting 
door  of  the  Whip-Poor- Will,  proclaimed  him  a  messenger, 
who  probably  bore  some  communication  of  importance  from 
the  government  of  the  colony  to  the  younger  Heathcote, 
who  filled  the  highest  station  of  official  authority  in  that 
distant  settlement.  Observations  to  this  purport  had  passed 
from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  curiosity  was  actively  alive  by 
the  time  the  horseman  rode  into  the  court.  There  he  dis- 
mounted, and  covered  with  the  dust  of  the  road  he  pre- 
sented himself,  with  the  air  of  one  who  had  passed  the  night 
in  the  saddle,  before  the  man  he  sought. 


?54 


Mept  of 


"I  have  orders  for  Captain  Content  Heathcote,"  said  the 
messenger,  saluting  all  around  him  with  the  usual  grave  but 
studied  courtesy  of  the  people  to  whom  he  belonged. 

'  '  He  is  here  to  receive  and  to  obey,  '  '  was  the  answer. 

The  traveller  wore  a  little  of  that  mysteriousness  that  is  so 
grateful  to  certain  minds,  which,  from  inability  to  command 
respect  in  any  other  manner,  are  fond  of  making  secrets  of 
matters  that  might  as  well  be  revealed.  In  obedience  to 
this  feeling  he  expressed  a  desire  that  his  communications 
might  be  made  apart.  Content  quietly  motioned  for  him  to 
follow,  leading  the  way  into  an  inner  apartment  of  the  house. 
As  a  new  direction  was  given  by  this  interruption  to  the 
thoughts  of  the  spectators  of  the  foregoing  scene,  we  shall 
also  take  the  opportunity  to  digress,  in  order  to  lay  before 
the  reader  some  general  facts  that  may  be  necessary  to  the 
connection  of  the  subsequent  parts  of  the  legend. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

"  Be  certain  what  you  do,  sir ;  lest  your  justice 
Prove  violence." 

Winters  Tale. 

THE  designs  of  the  celebrated  Metacom  had  been 
betrayed  to  the   colonists  by  the  treachery  of  a 
subordinate    warrior,    named    Sausaman.      The 
punishment  of  this  treason  led  to  inquiries  which 
terminated  in  accusations  against  the  great  Sachem  of  the 
Wampanoags.     Scorning  to  vindicate  himself  before   ene- 
mies that  he  hated,  and  perhaps  distrusting  their  clemency, 
Metacom  no  longer  endeavored  to  cloak  his  proceedings,  but 
throwing  aside  the  emblems  of  peace,  he  openly  appeared 
with  an  armed  hand. 

The  tragedy  had  commenced  about  a  year  before  the 
period  at  which  the  tale  has  now  arrived.  A  scene  not  un- 
like that  detailed  in  the  foregoing  pages  took  place ;  the 
brand,  the  knife,  and  the  tomahawk  doing  their  work  of 
destruction,  without  pity  and  without  remorse.  But  unlike 
the  inroad  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish,  the  expedition  was  im- 
mediately followed  by  others,  until  the  whole  of  New  Eng- 
land was  engaged  in  the  celebrated  war  to  which  we  have 
before  referred. 

The  entire  white  population  of  the  colonies  of  New  Eng- 
land had  shortly  before  been  estimated  at  one  hundred  and 
twenty  thousand  souls.  Of  this  number  it  was  thought  that 
sixteen  thousand  men  were  capable  of  bearing  arms.  Had 
time  been  given  for  the  maturity  of  the  plans  of  Metacom, 
he  might  have  readily  assembled  bands  of  warriors,  who, 
aided  by  their  familiarity  with  the  woods,  and  accustomed 
to  the  privations  of  such  a  warfare,  would  have  threatened 

.255 


256          Ube  Wept  of 


serious  danger  to  the  growing  strength  of  the  whites.  But 
the  ordinary  and  selfish  feelings  of  man  were  as  active  among 
these  wild  tribes  as  they  are  known  to  be  in  more  artificial 
communities.  The  indefatigable  Metacom,  like  that  Indian 
hero  of  our  own  times,  Tecumthe,  had  passed  years  in  en- 
deavoring to  appease  ancient  enmities  and  to  lull  jealousies, 
in  order  that  all  of  red  blood  might  unite  in  crushing  a  foe 
that  promised,  should  he  be  longer  undisturbed  in  his  march 
to  power,  soon  to  be  too  formidable  for  their  united  efforts 
to  subdue.  The  premature  explosion  in  some  measure 
averted  the  danger.  It  gave  the  English  time  to  strike  sev- 
eral severe  blows  against  the  tribe  of  their  great  enemy,  be- 
fore his  allies  had  determined  to  make  common  cause  in  his 
design.  The  summer  and  autumn  of  1675  had  been  passed 
in  active  hostilities  between  the  English  and  Wampanoags, 
without  openly  drawing  any  other  nation  into  the  contest. 
Some  of  the  Pequots,  with  their  dependent  tribes,  even  took 
sides  with  the  whites  ;  and  we  read  of  the  Mohegans  being 
actively  employed  in  harassing  the  sachem  on  his  well-known 
retreat  from  that  neck  of  land  where  he  had  been  hemmed  in 
by  the  English  with  the  expectation  that  he  might  be  starved 
into  submission. 

The  warfare  of  the  first  summer  was,  as  might  be  expected, 
attended  by  various  degrees  of  success,  fortune  quite  as  often 
favoring  the  redmen,  in  their  desultory  attempts  at  annoy- 
ance, as  their  more  disciplined  enemies.  Instead  of  con- 
fining his  operations  to  his  own  circumscribed  and  easily 
environed  districts,  Metacom  had  led  his  warriors  to  the  dis- 
tant settlements  on  the  Connecticut  ;  and  it  was  during  the 
operations  of  this  season  that  several  of  the  towns  on  that 
river  were  first  assailed  and  laid  in  ashes.  Active  hostilities 
had  in  some  measure  ceased  between  the  Wampanoags  and 
the  English,  with  the  cold  weather,  most  of  the  troops  retir- 
ing to  their  homes,  while  the  Indians  apparently  paused  to 
take  breath  for  their  final  effort. 

It  was,  however,  previously  to  this  cessation  of  activity, 
that  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies,  as  they  were 
called,  met  to  devise  the  means  of  a  concerted  resistance. 
Unlike  their  former  dangers  from  the  same  quarter,  it  was 


TOe  Wept  of  Wtsb*tIon*TKIiisb          257 

manifest  by  the  manner  in  which  a  hostile  feeling  was  spread- 
ing around  their  whole  frontier,  that  a  leading  spirit  had 
given  as  much  of  unity  and  design  to  the  movements  of  the 
foe  as  could  probably  ever  be  created  among  a  people  so 
separated  by  distance  and  so  divided  in  communities.  Right 
or  wrong,  the  colonists  gravely  decided  that  the  war  on  their 
part  was  just.  Great  preparations  were  therefore  made  to 
carry  it  on  the  ensuing  summer,  in  a  manner  more  suited  to 
their  means,  and  to  the  absolute  necessities  of  their  situation. 
It  was  in  consequence  of  the  arrangements  made  for  bringing 
a  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut  into 
the  field  that  we  find  the  principal  characters  of  our  legend 
in  the  warlike  guise  in  which  they  have  just  been  re-intro- 
duced to  the  reader. 

Although  the  Narragansetts  had  not  at  first  been  openly 
implicated  in  the  attacks  on  the  colonists,  facts  soon  came  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  latter  which  left  no  doubt  of  the  state 
of  feeling  in  that  nation.  Many  of  their  young  men  were 
discovered  among  the  followers  of  Metacom,  and  arms  taken 
from  whites  who  had  been  slain  in  the  different  encounters 
were  also  seen  in  the  villages.  One  of  the  first  measures  of 
the  commissioners,  therefore,  was  to  anticipate  more  serious 
opposition,  by  directing  an  overwhelming  force  against  his 
people.  The  party  collected  on  that  occasion  was  probably 
the  largest  military  body  which  the  English  at  that  early  day 
had  ever  assembled  in  their  colonies.  It  consisted  of  a  thou- 
sand men,  of  whom  no  inconsiderable  number  was  cavalry-' 
a  species  of  troops  that,  as  all  subsequent  experience  has 
shown,  is  admirably  adapted  to  operations  against  so  active 
and  so  subtle  a  foe. 

The  attack  was  made  in  the  depth  of  winter,  and  it  proved 
fearfully  destructive  to  the  assailed.  The  defence  of  Conan- 
chet,  the  young  Sachem  of  the  Narragansetts,  was  every 
way  worthy  of  his  high  character  for  courage  and  mental 
resources,  nor  was  the  victory  gained  without  serious  loss  to 
the  colonists.  The  native  chief  had  collected  his  warriors, 
and  taken  post  on  a  small  area  of  firm  land  that  was  situated 
in  the  centre  of  a  densely  wooded  swamp  ;  and  the  prepara- 
tions for  resistance  betrayed  a  singular  familiarity  with  the 


258          ZTbe  Mept  of 


military  expedients  of  a  white  man.  There  had  been  a  pali- 
sadoed  breast- work,  a  species  of  redoubt  and  a  regular  block- 
house to  overcome,  ere  the  colonists  could  penetrate  into  the 
fortified  village  itself.  The  first  attempts  were  unsuccess- 
ful, the  Indians  having  repulsed  their  enemies  with  loss. 
But  better  arms  and  greater  concert  finally  prevailed,  though 
not  without  a  struggle  that  lasted  for  many  hours,  and  not 
until  the  defendants  were,  in  truth,  nearly  surrounded. 

The  events  of  that  memorable  day  made  a  deep  impres- 
sion on  the  minds  of  men  who  were  rarely  excited  by  any 
incidents  of  a  great  and  moving  character.  It  was  still  the 
subject  of  earnest,  and  not  unfrequently  of  melancholy  dis- 
course, around  the  firesides  of  the  colonists ;  nor  was  the 
victory  achieved  without  accompaniments,  which,  however 
unavoidable  they  might  have  been,  had  a  tendency  to  raise 
doubts  in  the  minds  of  conscientious  religionists,  concerning 
the  lawfulness  of  their  cause.  It  is  said  that  a  village  of 
six  hundred  cabins  was  burnt,  and  that  hundreds  of  dead 
and  wounded  were  consumed  in  the  conflagration.  A  thou- 
sand warriors  were  thought  to  have  lost  their  lives  in  this 
affair,  and  it  was  believed  that  the  power  of  the  nation  was 
broken  forever.  The  sufferers  among  the  colonists  them- 
selves were  numerous,  and  mourning  came  into  a  vast  many 
families,  with  the  tidings  of  victory. 

In  this  expedition  most  of  the  men  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish 
had  been  conspicuous  actors,  under  the  orders  of  Content. 
They  had  not  escaped  with  impunity  ;  but  it  was  confidently 
hoped  that  their  courage  was  to  meet  its  reward  in  a  long 
continuance  of  peace,  which  was  the  more  desirable  on 
account  of  their  remote  and  exposed  situation. 

In  the  meantime  the  Narragansetts  were  far  from  being 
subdued.  Throughout  the  whole  continuance  of  the  in- 
clement season  they  had  caused  alarms  on  the  frontiers ; 
and  in  one  or  two  instances  their  renowned  sachem  had 
taken  signal  vengeance  for  the  dire  affair  in  which  his  peo- 
ple had  so  heavily  suffered.  As  the  spring  advanced  the 
inroads  became  still  more  frequent,  and  the  appearances  of 
danger  so  far  increased  as  to  require  a  new  call  on  the  col- 
onists to  arm.  The  messenger  introduced  in  the  last  chap- 


TTbe  TKDlept  of  TOi0b*Uon*OTtsb  259 

ter  was  charged  with  matter  that  had  a  reference  to  the 
events  of  this  war  ;  and  it  was  with  an  especial  communi- 
cation of  great  urgency  that  he  had  now  demanded  his 
secret  audience  with  the  leader  of  the  military  force  of  the 
valley. 

' '  Thou  hast  affairs  of  moment  to  deal  with,  Captain 
Heathcote,"  said  the  hard-riding  traveller,  when  he  found 
himself  alone  with  Content.  ' '  The  orders  of  his  honor 
are  to  spare  neither  whip  nor  spur,  until  the  chief  men  of 
the  borders  shall  be  warned  of  the  actual  situation  of  the 
colony. ' ' 

* '  Hath  aught  of  moving  interest  occurred,  that  his  honor 
deemeth  there  is  necessity  for  unusual  watchfulness  ?  We 
had  hoped  that  the  prayers  of  the  pious  were  not  in  vain  ; 
and  that  a  time  of  quiet  was  about  to  succeed  to  that  vio- 
lence of  which,  bounden  by  our  social  covenants,  we  have 
unhappily  been  unwilling  spectators.  The  bloody  assault 
of  Pettyquamscott  hath  exercised  our  minds  severely — nay, 
it  hath  even  raised  doubts  of  the  lawfulness  of  some  of  OUT 
deeds." 

"Thou  hast  a  commendable  spirit  of  forgiveness,  Cap- 
tarn  Heathcote,  or  thy  memory  would  extend  to  other 
scenes  than  those  which  bear  relation  to  the  punishment  of 
an  enemy  so  remorseless.  It  said  on  the  river,  that  the 
valley  of  Wish-Ton-Wish  hath  been  visited  by  the  savage 
in  its  day,  and  men  speak  freely  of  the  wrongs  suffered  by 
its  owners  on  that  pitiless  occasion." 

*  *  The  truth  may  not  be  denied,  even  that  good  should 
come  thereof.  It  is  certain  that  much  suffering  was  in- 
flicted on  me  and  on  mine,  by  the  inroad  of  which  you  speak  ; 
nevertheless  we  have  ever  striven  to  consider  it  as  a  mer- 
ciful chastisement  inflicted  for  manifold  sins,  rather  than  as 
a  subject  that  might  be  remembered,  in  order  to  stimulate 
passions  that,  in  all  reason  as  in  all  charity,  should  slumber 
as  much  as  a  weak  nature  will  allow. ' ' 

"  This  is  well,  Captain  Heathcote,  and  in  exceeding  con- 
formity with  the  most  received  doctrines,"  returned  the 
stranger,  slightly  gaping,  either  from  want  of  rest  the  pre- 
vious night,  or  from  disinclination  to  so  grave  a  subject ; 


260          Ube  TKHept  of 


"  but  it  hath  little  connection  with  present  duties.  My 
charge  beareth  especial  concern  with  the  further  destruc- 
tion of  the  Indians,  rather  than  to  any  inward  searchings 
into  the  condition  of  our  own  mental  misgivings,  concern- 
ing any  right  it  may  be  thought  proper  to  question,  that 
hath  a  reference  to  the  duty  of  self-protection.  There  is 
no  unworthy  dweller  in  the  Connecticut  colony,  sir,  that 
hath  endeavored  more  to  cultivate  a  tender  conscience  than 
the  wretched  sinner  who  standeth  before  you  ;  for  I  have 
the  exceeding  happiness  to  sit  under  the  outpourings  of  a 
spirit  that  hath  few  mortal  superiors  in  the  matter  of  pre- 
cious gifts.  I  now  speak  of  Dr.  Calvin  Pope  ;  a  most 
worthy  and  soul-quieting  divine  ;  one  who  spareth  not  the 
goad  when  the  conscience  needeth  pricking,  nor  hesitateth 
to  dispense  consolation  to  him  who  seeth  his  fallen  estate  ; 
and  one  that  never  faileth  to  deal  with  charity,  and  hum- 
bleness of  spirit,  and  forbearance  with  the  failings  of 
friends,  and  forgiveness  of  enemies,  as  the  chiefest  signs 
of  a  renovated  moral  existence;  and  therefore  there  can 
be  but  little  reason  to  distrust  the  spiritual  rightfulness  of 
all  that  listen  to  the  riches  of  his  discourse.  But  when  it 
cometh  to  be  question  of  life  or  death,  a  matter  of  do- 
minion and  possession  of  these  fair  lands  that  the  Lord 
hath  given  —  why,  sir,  then  I  say  that,  like  the  Israelites 
dealing  with  the  sinful  occupants  of  Canaan,  it  behooveth  us 
to  be  true  to  each  other,  and  to  look  upon  the  heathen  with 
a  distrustful  eye." 

1  '  There  may  be  reason  in  that  thou  utterest,  '  '  observed 
Content,  sorrowfully.  "Still  it  is  lawful  to  mourn  even 
the  necessity  which  conduceth  to  all  this  strife.  I  had 
hoped  that  they  who  direct  the  councils  of  the  colony  might 
have  resorted  to  less  violent  means  of  persuasion,  to  lead 
the  savage  back  to  reason,  than  that  which  cometh  from  the 
armed  hand.  Of  what  nature  is  thy  especial  errand  ?  '  ' 

"Of  deep  urgency,  sir,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  narration," 
returned  the  other,  dropping  his  voice  like  one  habitually 
given  to  the  dramatic  part  of  diplomacy,  however  unskilful 
he  might  have  been  in  its  more  intellectual  accomplish- 
ments, '  *  Thou  wast  in  the  Pettyquamscott  scourging,  and 


Mept  of  Misb*Uon==Wteb          261 

needst  not  be  reminded  of  the  manner  in  which  the  Lord 
dealt  with  our  enemies  on  that  favor-dispensing  day  ;  but 
it  may  not  be  known  to  one  so  remote  from  the  stirring 
and  daily  transactions  of  Christendom,  in  what  manner  the 
savage  hath  taken  the  chastisement.  The  restless  and  still 
unconquered  Conanchet  hath  deserted  his  towns  and  taken 
refuge  in  the  open  woods  ;  where  it  exceedeth  the  skill  and 
usage  of  our  civilized  men  of  war,  to  discover,  at  all  times, 
the  position  and  force  of  their  enemies.  The  consequences 
may  be  easily  conjectured.  The  savage  hath  broken  in 
upon,  and  laid  waste,  in  whole  or  in  part,  firstly,  Lancas- 
ter, on  the  tenth,"  counting  on  his  fingers,  "when  many 
were  led  into  captivity  ;  secondly,  Marlborough,  on  the 
twentieth  ;  on  the  thirteenth  ultimo,  Groton ;  Warwick,  on 
the  seventeenth ;  and  Rehoboth,  Chelmsford,  Andover, 
Wey mouth,  and  divers  other  places,  have  been  greatly  suf- 
ferers, between  the  latter  period  and  the  day  when  I  quitted 
the  abode  of  his  honor.  Pierce  of  Scituate,  a  stout  war- 
rior, and  one  practised  in  the  wiles  of  this  nature  of  war- 
fare, hath  been  cut  off  with  a  whole  company  of  followers  ; 
and  Wadsworth  and  Brockleband,  men  known  and  esteemed 
for  courage  and  skill,  have  left  their  bones  in  the  woods, 
sleeping  in  common  among  their  luckless  followers." 

' '  These  are  truly  tidings  to  cause  us  to  mourn  over  the 
abandoned  condition  of  our  nature, ' '  said  Content,  in  whose 
meek  mind  there  was  no  affectation  of  regrets  on  such  a 
subject.  "It  is  not  easy  to  see  in  what  manner  the  evil 
may  be  arrested  without  again  going  forth  to  do  battle." 

' '  Such  is  the  opinion  of  his  honor,  and  of  all  who  sit 
with  him  in  council  ;  for  we  have  sufficient  knowledge  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  enemy,  to  be  sure  that  the  master- 
spirit of  wickedness,  in  the  person  of  him  called  Philip,  is 
raging  up  and  down  the  whole  extent  of  the  borders, 
awakening  the  tribes  to  what  he  calleth  the  necessity  of 
resisting  further  aggression,  and  stirring  up  their  vengeance 
by  divers  subtle  expedients  of  malicious  cunning." 

"  And  what  manner  of  proceeding  hath  been  ordered  in 
so  urgent  a  strait,  by  the  wisdom  of  our  rulers  ?  ' ' 

"  Firstly,  there  is  a  fast  ordained,  that  we  come  to  the  duty 


262          Ube  Mept  of 


as  men  purified  by  mental  struggle  and  deep  self-examina- 
tion ;  secondly,  it  is  recommended  that  the  congregations 
deal  with  more  than  wonted  severity  with  all  back-sliders 
and  evil-doers,  in  order  that  the  towns  may  not  fall  under 
the  Divine  displeasure,  as  happened  to  them  that  dwelt  in 
the  devoted  cities  of  Canaan  ;  thirdly,  it  is  determined  to 
lend  our  feeble  aid  to  the  ordering  of  Providence,  by  calling 
forth  the  allotted  number  of  the  trained  bands  ;  and  fourthly, 
it  is  contemplated  to  counteract  the  seeds  of  vengeance,  by 
setting  a  labor-earning  price  on  the  heads  of  our  enemies.  '  ' 

*  '  I  accord  with  the  first  three  of  these  expedients,  as  the 
known  and  lawful  resorts  of  Christian  men,"  said  Content. 
'  '  But  the  latter  seemeth  the  measure  that  needeth  to  be 
entertained  with  great  wariness  of  manner,  and  some  dis- 
trust of  purpose.  '  ' 

"  Fear  not,  since  all  suiting  and  economical  discretion  is 
active  in  the  minds  of  our  rulers,  who  have  pondered  saga- 
ciously on  so  grave  a  policy.  It  is  not  intended  to  offer 
more  than  half  the  reward  that  is  held  forth  by  our  more 
wealthy  and  elder  sister  of  the  Bay  ;  and  there  is  some  acute 
question  about  the  necessity  of  bidding  at  all  for  any  of 
tender  years.  And  now,  Captain  Heathcote,  with  the  good 
leave  of  so  respectable  a  subject,  I  will  proceed  to  lay  before 
you  the  details  of  the  number  and  the  nature  of  the  force  that 
it  is  hoped  you  will  lead  in  person  in  the  ensuing  campaign." 

As  the  result  of  that  which  followed  will  be  seen  in  the 
course  of  the  legend,  it  is  not  necessary  to  accompany  the 
messenger  any  further  in  his  communication.  We  shall 
therefore  leave  him  and  Content  busied  with  the  matter  of 
their  conference,  and  proceed  to  give  some  account  of  the 
other  personages  connected  with  our  subject. 

When  interrupted,  as  already  related,  by  the  arrival  of  the 
stranger,  Faith  had  endeavored  by  a  new  expedient  to  elicit 
some  evidences  of  a  more  just  remembrance  from  the  dull 
mind  of  her  brother.  Accompanied  by  most  of  the  depen- 
dants of  the  family,  she  had  led  him  to  the  summit  of  that 
hill  which  was  now  crowned  with  the  foliage  of  a  young 
and  thrifty  orchard,  and  placing  him  at  the  foot  of  the  ruin, 
she  tried  to  excite  a  train  of  recollections  that  should  lead  to 


Wept  of  Wisfo^otWlKIlteb          263 

deeper  impressions,  and  possibly,  by  their  aid,  to  a  discovery 
of  the  important  circumstance  that  all  so  much  longed  to 
have  explained. 

The  experiment  produced  no  happy  result.  The  place, 
and  indeed  the  whole  valley,  had  undergone  so  great  a 
change,  that  one  more  liberally  gifted  might  have  hesitated 
to  believe  them  those  that  have  been  described  in  our  earlier 
pages.  This  rapid  alteration  of  objects,  which  elsewhere 
know  so  little  change  in  a  long  course  of  ages,  is  a  fact 
familiar  to  all  who  reside  in  the  newer  districts  of  the  Union. 
It  is  caused  by  the  rapid  improvements  that  are  made  in  the 
first  stages  of  a  settlement.  To  fell  the  forest  alone,  is  to 
give  an  entirely  new  aspect  to  the  view ;  and  it  is  far  from 
easy  to  see  in  a  village  and  in  cultivated  fields,  however 
recent  the  existence  of  the  one  or  imperfect  the  other,  any 
traces  of  a  spot  that  a  short  time  before  was  known  as  the 
haunt  of  the  wolf  or  the  refuge  of  the  deer. 

The  features,  and  more  particularly  the  eye  of  his  sister, 
had  stirred  long-dormant  recollections  in  the  mind  of  Whittal 
Ring ;  and  though  these  glimpses  of  the  past  were  de- 
tached and  indistinct,  they  had  sufficed  to  quicken  that 
ancient  confidence  which  was  partially  exhibited  in  their 
opening  conference.  But  it  exceeded  his  feeble  powers  to 
recall  objects  that  would  appeal  to  no  very  lively  sympathies, 
and  which  had  themselves  undergone  so  material  alterations. 
Still  the  witless  youth  did  not  look  on  the  ruin  entirely 
without  some  strivings  of  his  nature.  Although  the  sward 
around  its  base  was  lively  in  the  brightest  verdure  of  early 
summer,  and  the  delicious  odor  of  the  wild  clover  saluted 
his  senses,  still  there  was  that  in  the  blackened  and  ragged 
walls,  the  position  of  the  tower,  and  the  view  of  the  sur- 
rounding hills,  shorn  as  so  much  of  them  now  were,  that 
evidently  spoke  to  his  earliest  impressions.  He  looked  at 
the  spot  as  a  hound  gazes  at  a  master  who  has  been  so  long 
lost  as  even  to  deaden  his  instinct;  and  at  times,  as  his 
companions  endeavored  to  aid  his  faint  images,  it  would 
seem  as  if  memory  were  likely  to  triumph,  and  all  those 
deceptive  opinions  which  habit  and  Indian  wiles  had  drawn 
over  his  dull  mind  were  about  to  vanish  before  the  light  of 


264          TOe  Wept  of 


reality.  But  the  allurements  of  a  life  in  which  there  was  so 
much  of  the  freedom  of  nature,  mingled  with  the  fascinating 
pleasures  of  the  chase  and  of  the  woods,  were  not  to  be  dis- 
possessed so  readily.  When  Faith  artfully  led  him  back  to 
those  animal  enjoyments  of  which  he  had  been  so  fond  in 
boyhood,  the  fantasy  of  her  brother  seemed  most  to  waver  ; 
but  whenever  it  became  apparent  that  the  dignity  of  a  warrior, 
and  all  the  more  recent  and  far  more  alluring  delights  of  his 
later  life,  were  to  be  abandoned  ere  his  being  could  return  into 
its  former  existence,  his  dull  faculties  obstinately  refused  to 
lend  themselves  to  a  change  that,  in  his  case,  would  have 
been  little  short  of  that  attributed  to  the  transmigration  of 
souls. 

After  an  hour  of  anxious,  and  frequently,  on  the  part  of 
Faith,  of  angry  efforts  to  extract  some  evidences  of  his 
recollection  of  the  condition  of  life  to  which  he  had  once 
belonged,  the  attempt  for  the  moment  was  abandoned.  At 
times,  it  seemed  as  if  the  woman  were  about  to  prevail.  He 
often  called  himself  Whittal,  but  he  continued  to  insist  that 
he  was  also  Nipset,  a  man  of  the  Narragansetts,  who  had 
a  mother  in  his  wigwam,  and  who  had  reason  to  believe  that 
he  should  be  numbered  among  the  warriors  of  his  tribe  ere 
the  fall  of  another  snow. 

In  the  meantime,  a  very  different  scene  was  passing  at 
the  place  where  the  first  examination  had  been  held,  and 
which  had  been  immediately  deserted  by  most  of  the  spec- 
tators, on  the  sudden  arrival  of  the  messenger.  But  a  sol- 
itary individual  was  seated  at  the  spacious  board,  which  had 
been  provided  alike  for  those  who  owned  and  presided  over 
the  estate,  and  for  their  dependants  to  the  very  meanest. 
The  individual  who  remained  had  thrown  himself  into  a 
seat,  less  with  the  air  of  him  who  consults  the  demands  of 
appetite,  than  of  one  whose  thoughts  were  so  engrossing  as 
to  render  him  indifferent  to  the  situation  or  employment  of 
his  more  corporeal  part.  His  head  rested  on  his  arms,  the 
latter  effectually  concealing  the  face,  as  they  were  spread 
over  the  plain  but  exquisitely  neat  table  of  cherry-wood, 
which,  by  being  placed  at  the  side  of  one  of  less  costly 
material,  was  intended  to  form  the  only  distinction  between 


TTbe  "adept  of  WiiBb^on^MiBb          265 

the  guests,  as,  in  more  ancient  times  and  in  other  countries, 
the  salt  was  known  to  mark  the  difference  in  rank  among 
those  who  partook  of  the  same  feast. 

"  Mark,"  said  a  timid  voice  at  his  elbow,  "  thou  art  weary 
with  this  night-watching,  and  with  the  scouting  on  the 
hills.  Dost  not  think  of  taking  food  before  seeking  thy 
rest?" 

' '  I  sleep  not, ' '  returned  the  youth,  raising  his  head,  and 
gently  pushing  aside  the  basin  of  simple  food  that  was 
offered  by  one  whose  eye  looked  feelingly  on  his  flushed 
features,  and  whose  suffused  cheek  perhaps  betrayed  there 
was  a  secret  consciousness  that  the  glance  was  kinder  than 
maiden  diffidence  should  allow.  * '  I  sleep  not,  Martha,  nor 
doth  it  seem  to  me  that  I  shall  ever  sleep  again." 

* '  Thou  frightest  me  by  this  wild  and  unhappy  eye.  Hast 
suffered  aught  in  the  march  on  the  mountains  ?  ' ' 

1 '  Dost  think  any  of  my  years  and  strength  unable  to  bear 
the  weariness  of  a  few  hours'  watching  in  the  forest  ?  The 
body  is  well,  but  the  mind  endureth  grievously." 

' '  And  wilt  not  say  what  causeth  this  vexation  ?  Thou 
knowest,  Mark,  that  there  are  none  in  this  dwelling — nay, 
I  am  certain,  I  might  add  in  this  valley,  that  do  not  wish 
thee  happiness." 

"  'T  is  kind  to  say  it,  good  Martha  ;  but  thou  never  hadst 
a  sister  ! ' ' 

"  'T  is  true,  I  am  all  of  my  race  ;  and  yet  to  me  it  seemeth 
that  no  tie  of  blood  could  have  been  nearer  than  the  love 
I  bore  to  her  who  is  lost." 

"  Nor  mother  !  Thou  never  knewest  what  'tis  to  rever- 
ence a  parent. ' ' 

1 '  And  is  not  thy  mother  mine  ? ' '  answered  a  voice  that 
was  deeply  melancholy,  and  yet  so  soft  that  it  caused  the 
young  man  to  gaze  intently  at  his  companion,  for  a  moment, 
ere  he  again  spoke. 

"  True,  true,"  he  said  hurriedly.  "  Thou  must  and  dost 
love  her  who  hath  nursed  thy  infancy,  and  brought  thee 
with  care  and  tenderness,  to  so  fair  and  happy  a  woman- 
hood. ' '  The  eye  of  Martha  grew  brighter,  and  the  color  of 
her  healthful  cheek  deepened;  as  Mark  unconsciously  uttered 


266  TIbe  TKHept  of 


this  simple  commendation  of  her  appearance  ;  but  as  she 
shrank,  with  female  sensitiveness,  from  his  observation,  the 
change  was  unnoticed,  and  he  continued,  '  '  Thou  seest  that 
my  mother  is  drooping  hourly  under  this  sorrow  for.  our 
little  Ruth  ;  and  who  can  say  what  may  be  the  end  of  a 
grief  that  endureth  so  long  ?  '  ' 

"  'Tis  true  that  there  hath  been  reason  to  fear  much  in 
her  behalf;  but,  of  late,  hope  hath  gotten  the  better  of 
apprehension.  Thou  dost  not  well,  nay,  I  am  not  assured 
thou  dost  not  evil,  to  permit  this  discontent  with  Provi- 
dence, because  thy  mother  yieldeth  to  a  little  more  than  her 
usual  mourning,  on  account  of  the  unexpected  return  of  one 
so  nearly  connected  with  her  that  we  have  lost.  '  ' 

"  'Tis  not  that,  girl—  't  is  not  that  !  " 

"If  thou  refusest  to  say  what  'tis  that  giveth  thee  this 
pain,  I  can  do  little  more  than  pity." 

11  Listen,  and  I  will  say.  It  is  now  many  years,  as  thou 
knowest,  since  the  savage  Mohawk  or  Narragansett,  Pequot 
or  Wampanoag,  broke  in  upon  our  settlement,  and  did  his 
vengeance.  We  were  then  children,  Martha  ;  and  't  is  as 
a  child  that  I  have  thought  of  that  merciless  burning.  Our 
little  Ruth  was,  like  thyself,  a  blooming  infant  of  some 
seven  or  eight  years  ;  and  I  know  not  how  the  folly  hath 
beset  me,  but  it  hath  been  ever  as  one  of  that  innocence  and 
age,  that  I  have  continued  to  think  of  my  sister.  '  ' 

"  Surely  thou  knowest  that  time  cannot  stay  ;  the  greater 
therefore  is  the  reason  that  we  should  be  industrious  to  im- 
prove —  '  ' 

11  'T  is  what  our  duty  teacheth.  I  tell  thee,  Martha,  that 
at  night,  when  dreams  come  over  me,  as  they  sometimes 
will,  and  I  see  our  Ruth  wandering  in  the  forest,  it  is  as  a 
playful,  laughing  child,  such  as  we  knew  her;  and  even 
while  waking,  do  I  fancy  my  sister  at  my  knee,  as  she  was 
wont  to  stand  while  listening  to  those  idle  tales  with  which 
we  lightened  our  childhood.  '  ' 

"But  we  had  our  birth  in  the  same  year  and  month, 
dost  think  of  me  too,  Mark,  as  one  of  that  childish  age  ?  '  ' 

"Of  thee!  That  cannot  well  be.  Do  I  not  see  that 
thou  art  grown  into  the  condition  of  a  woman,  that  thy 


Ube  Mept  of  Witeb*Uon*Mi$b          267 

little  tresses  of  brown  have  become  the  jet-black  and  flowing 
hair  that  becomes  thy  years,  and  that  thou  hast  the  stature 
— and  I  say  it  not  in  idleness  of  speech,  Martha,  for  thou 
knowest  my  tongue  is  no  vain  flatterer — but  do  I  not  see 
that  thou  hast  grown  into  all  the  excellence  of  a  most 
comely  maiden  ?  But  'tis  not  thus,  or  rather  'twas  not 
thus,  with  her  we  mourn  ;  for  till  this  hour  have  I  ever  pic- 
tured my  sister  the  little  innocent  we  sported  with,  that 
gloomy  night  she  was  snatched  from  our  arms  by  the  cruelty 
of  the  savage. ' ' 

"And  what  hath  changed  this  pleasing  image  of  our 
Ruth  ?  "  asked  his  companion,  half-covering  her  face  to  con- 
ceal the  still  deeper  glow  of  female  gratification  which  had 
been  kindled  by  the  words  just  heard.  "  I  often  think  of 
her  as  thou  hast  described,  nor  do  I  now  see  why  we  may 
not  still  believe  her,  if  she  yet  live,  all  that  we  could  desire 
to  see." 

"  That  cannot  be.  The  delusion  is  gone,  and  in  its  place 
a  frightful  truth  has  visited  me.  Here  is  Whittal  Ring, 
whom  we  lost  a  boy  ;  thou  seest  he  is  returned  a  man,  and 
a  savage  !  No,  no  ;  my  sister  is  no  longer  the  child  I  loved 
to  think  her,  but  one  grown  into  the  estate  of  woman- 
hood." 

' '  Thou  thinkest  of  her  unkindly,  while  thou  thinkest  of 
others  far  less  endowed  by  nature  with  too  much  indul- 
gence ;  for  thou  rememberest,  Mark,  she  was  ever  of  more 
pleasing  aspect  than  any  that  we  knew. ' ' 

"I  know  not  that — I  say  not  that — I  think  not  that. 
But  be  she  what  hardships  and  exposure  may  have  made 
her,  still  must  Ruth  Heathcote  be  far  too  good  for  an 
Indian  wigwam.  Oh  !  'tis  horrible  to  believe  that  she  is 
the  bondwoman,  the  servitor,  the  wife  of  a  savage  !  " 

Martha  recoiled,  and  an  entire  minute  passed,  during 
which  she  made  no  reply.  It  was  evident  that  the  revolt- 
ing idea  for  the  first  time  crossed  her  mind,  and  all  the 
natural  feelings  of  gratified  and  maiden  pride  vanished  be- 
fore the  genuine  and  pure  sympathies  of  a  female  bosom. 

"This  cannot  be,"  she  at  length  murmured, — "it  can 
never  be  !  Our  Ruth  must  still  remember  the  lessons  taught 


268          Ube  Mept  of 


her  in  her  infancy.  She  knoweth  she  is  born  of  Christian 
lineage  !  of  reputable  name  !  of  exalted  hope  !  of  glorious 
promise  !  '  ' 

"  Thou  seest  by  the  manner  of  Whittal,  who  is  of  greater 
age,  how  little  of  that  taught  can  withstand  the  wily 
savage.  '  ' 

"But  Whittal  faileth  of  Nature's  gifts;  he  hath  evei 
been  below  the  rest  of  men  in  understanding." 

'  '  And  yet  to  what  degree  of  Indian  cunning  hath  he 
already  attained." 

"  But,  Mark,"  rejoined  his  companion  timidly,  as  if,  while 
she  felt  all  its  force,  she  only  consented  to  urge  the  argu- 
ment in  tenderness  to  the  harassed  feelings  of  the  brother, 
"  we  are  of  equal  years  ;  that  which  hath  happened  to  me 
may  well  have  been  the  fortune  of  our  Ruth." 

'  '  Dost  mean,  that  being  unespoused  thyself,  or  that  hav- 
ing at  thy  years  inclinations  that  are  free,  my  sister  may 
have  escaped  the  bitter  curse  of  being  the  wife  of  a  Nar- 
ragansett,  or  what  is  not  less  frightful,  the  slave  of  his 
humors  ?  '  ' 

"  Truly,  I  mean  little  else  than  the  former." 

"And  not  the  latter,"  continued  the  young  man,  with 
a  quickness  that  showed  some  sudden  revolution  in  his 
thoughts.  "But  though  with  opinions  that  are  decided, 
and  with  kindness  awakened  in  behalf  of  one  favored,  thou 
hesitatest,  Martha,  it  is  not  like  that  a  girl  left  in  the  fet- 
ters of  savage  life  would  so  long  pause  to  think.  Even 
here  in  the  settlements  all  are  not  difficult  of  judgment  as 
thou!" 

The  long  lashes  vibrated  above  the  dark  eyes  of  the 
maiden,  and  for  an  instant  it  seemed  as  if  she  had  no  in- 
tention to  reply.  But  looking  timidly  aside,  she  answered 
in  a  voice  so  low  that  her  companion  scarcely  gathered  the 
meaning  of  that  she  uttered. 

1  '  I  know  not  how  I  may  have  earned  this  false  character 
among  my  friends,"  she  said  ;  "for  to  me  it  ever  seemeth 
that  what  I  feel  and  think  is  but  too  easily  known." 

"  Then  is  the  smart  gallant  from  the  Hartford  town,  who 
cometh  and  goeth  so  often  between  this  distant  settlement 


Wept  of  Mteb*Uon*Wisb          269 

and  his  father's  house,  better  assured  of  his  success  than  I 
had  thought.  He  will  not  journey  the  long  road  much 
oftener  alone  ! ' ' 

"  I  have  angered  thee,  Mark,  or  thou  wouldst  not  speak 
with  so  cold  an  eye  to  one  who  hath  ever  lived  with  thee 
in  kindness." 

"  I  do  not  speak  in  anger,  for  'twould  be  both  unreason- 
able and  unmanly  to  deny  all  of  thy  sex  right  of  choice  ; 
but  yet  it  doth  seem  right  that  when  taste  is  suited  and 
judgment  appeased,  there  should  be  little  motive  for  with- 
holding speech." 

1 '  And  wouldst  thou  have  a  maiden  of  my  years  in  haste 
to  believe  that  she  was  sought,  when  haply  it  may  be  that 
he  of  whom  you  speak  is  in  quest  of  thy  society  and  friend- 
ship, rather  than  of  my  favor  ?  ' ' 

"  Then  might  he  spare  much  labor  and  some  bodily  suf- 
fering, unless  he  finds  great  pleasure  in  the  saddle ;  for  I 
know  not  a  youth  in  the  Connecticut  colony  for  whom  I 
have  smaller  esteem.  Others  may  see  matter  of  approval 
in  him,  but  to  me,  he  is  of  bold  speech,  ungainly  air,  and 
great  disagreeableness  of  discourse." 

1 ' 1  am  happy  that  at  last  we  find  ourselves  of  one  mind  ; 
for  that  thou  sayest  of  the  youth  is  much  as  I  have  long 
considered  him." 

''Thou!  Thou  thinkest  of  the  gallant  thus!  Then 
why  dost  listen  to  his  suit?  I  had  believed  thee  a  girl 
too  honest,  Martha,  to  affect  such  niceties  of  deception. 
With  this  opinion  of  his  character  why  not  refuse  his 
company  ? ' ' 

"  Can  a  maiden  speak  too  hastily  ?  " 

1 '  And  if  here,  and  ready  to  ask  thy  favor,  the  answer 
would  be— " 

"No!"  said  the  girl,  raising  her  eyes  for  an  instant, 
and  bashfully  meeting  the  eager  look  of  her  companion, 
though  she  uttered  the  monosyllable  firmly. 

Mark  seemed  bewildered.  An  entirely  new  and  a  novel 
idea  took  possession  of  his  brain.  The  change  was  appar- 
ent by  his  altering  countenance,  and  a  cheek  that  glowed 
like  flame,  What  he  might*  have  said,  most  of  our  read- 


270  ttbe  Wept  of 


ers  over  fifteen  may  presume  ;  but  at  that  moment  the 
voices  of  those  who  had  accompanied  Whittal  to  the  ruin 
were  heard  on  their  return,  and  Martha  glided  away  so 
silently  as  to  leave  him  for  a  moment  ignorant  of  her  ab- 
sence. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

"  Oh  !  when  amid  the  throngs  of  men 
The  heart  grows  sick  of  hollow  mirth, 
How  willingly  we  turn  us,  then, 
Away  from  this  cold  earth  ; 
And  look  into  thy  azure  breast, 
For  seats  of  innocence  and  rest !  " 

BRYANT'S  Skies. 

THE  day  was  the  Sabbath.  This  religious  festival, 
which  is  even  now  observed  in  most  of  the  States 
of  the  Union  with  a  strictness  that  is  little  heeded  in 
the  rest  of  Christendom,  was  then  reverenced  with 
a  severity  suited  to  the  austere  habits  of  the  colonists.  The 
circumstance  that  one  should  journey  on  such  a  day  had 
attracted  the  observation  of  all  in  the  hamlet ;  but  as  the 
stranger  had  been  seen  to  ride  towards  the  dwelling  of  the 
Heathcotes,  and  the  times  were  known  to  teem  with  more 
than  ordinary  interest  to  the  Province,  it  was  believed  that 
he  found  his  justification  in  some  apology  of  necessity. 
Still  none  ventured  forth  to  inquire  into  the  motive  of  this 
extraordinary  visit.  At  the  end  of  an  hour  the  horseman 
was  seen  to  depart  as  he  had  arrived,  seemingly  urged  on  by 
the  calls  of  some  pressing  emergency.  He  had  in  truth  pro- 
ceeded farther  with  his  tidings,  though  the  lawfulness  of 
discharging  even  this  imperious  duty  on  the  Sabbath  had 
been  gravely  considered  in  the  councils  of  those  who  had 
sent  him.  Happily  they  had  found,  or  thought  they  had 
found,  in  some  of  the  narratives  of  the  sacred  volume,  a  suffi- 
cient precedent  to  bid  their  messenger  proceed. 

In  the  meantime  the  unusual  excitement  which  had  been 
so  unexpectedly  awakened  in  the  dwelling  of  the  Heathcotes 

,271 


272          TTbe  Wept  of 


began  to  subside  in  that  quiet  which  is  in  so  beautiful  ac- 
cordance with  the  sacred  character  of  the  day.  The  sun 
rose  bright  and  cloudless  over  the  hills,  every  vapor  of  the 
past  night  melting  before  his  genial  warmth  into  the  invisi- 
ble element.  The  valley  then  lay  in  that  species  of  holy 
calm  which  conveys  so  sweet  and  so  forcible  an  appeal  to 
the  heart.  The  world  presented  a  picture  of  the  glorious 
handiwork  of  Him  who  seems  to  invite  the  gratitude  and 
adoration  of  his  creatures.  To  the  mind  yet  untainted, 
there  is  exquisite  loveliness  and  even  godlike  repose  in  such 
a  scene.  The  universal  stillness  permits  the  softest  natural 
sounds  to  be  heard  ;  and  the  buzz  of  the  bee  or  the  wing  of  the 
humming-bird  reaches  the  ear  like  the  loud  notes  of  a  gen- 
eral anthem.  This  temporary  repose  is  full  of  meaning.  It 
should  teach  how  much  of  the  beauty  of  this  world's  enjoy- 
ments, how  much  of  its  peace,  and  even  how  much  of  the 
comeliness  of  nature  itself,  is  dependent  on  the  spirit  by 
which  we  are  actuated.  When  man  reposes,  all  around  him 
seems  anxious  to  contribute  to  his  rest  ;  and  when  he  aban- 
dons the  contentions  of  grosser  interests,  to  elevate  his  spirit, 
all  living  things  appear  to  unite  in  worship.  Although  this 
apparent  sympathy  of  nature  may  be  less  true  than  imagi- 
native, its  lesson  is  not  destroyed,  since  it  sufficiently  shows 
that  what  man  chooses  to  consider  good  in  this  world  is  good, 
and  that  most  of  its  strife  and  deformities  proceed  from  his 
own  perversity. 

The  tenants  of  the  valley  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish  were 
little  wont  to  disturb  the  quiet  of  the  Sabbath.  Their  error 
lay  in  the  other  extreme,  since  they  impaired  the  charities 
of  life  by  endeavoring  to  raise  man  altogether  above  the 
weakness  of  his  nature.  They  substituted  the  revolting 
aspect  of  a  sublimated  austerity  for  that  gracious  though 
regulated  exterior,  by  which  all  in  the  body  may  best  illus- 
trate their  hopes  or  exhibit  their  gratitude.  The  peculiar  air 
of  those  of  whom  we  write  was  generated  by  the  error  of 
the  times  and  of  the  country,  though  something  of  its  sin- 
gularly rigid  character  might  have  been  derived  from  the 
precepts  and  example  of  the  individual  who  had  the  direction 
of  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  parish.  As  this  person  will 


TTbe  Mept  of  OTteb*Uon*OTteb          273 

have  further  connection  with  the  matter  of  the  legend,  he 
shall  be  more  familiarly  introduced  in  its  pages. 

The  Reverend  Meek  Wolfe  was,  in  spirit,  a  rare  combina- 
tion of  the  humblest  self-abasement  and  of  fierce  spiritual 
denunciation.  L,ike  so  many  others  of  his  sacred  calling 
in  the  colony  he  inhabited,  he  was  not  only  the  descendant 
of  a  line  of  priests,  but  it  was  his  greatest  earthly  hope  that 
he  should  also  become  the  progenitor  of  a  race  in  whom  the 
ministry  was  to  be  perpetuated  as  severely  as  if  the  regulated 
formula  of  the  Mosaic  dispensation  were  still  in  exist- 
ence. He  had  been  educated  in  the  infant  college  of  Har- 
vard, an  institution  that  the  emigrants  from  Kn gland  had 
the  wisdom  and  enterprise  to  found  within  the  first  five- 
and-twenty-years  of  their  colonial  residence.  Here  this 
scion  of  so  pious  and  orthodox  a  stock  had  abundantly  quali- 
fied himself  for  the  intellectual  warfare  of  his  future  life,  by 
regarding  one  set  of  opinions  so  steadily  as  to  leave  little 
reason  to  apprehend  he  would  ever  abandon  the  most  trifling 
of  the  outworks  of  his  faith.  No  citadel  ever  presented  a 
more  hopeless  curtain  to  the  besieger,  than  did  the  mind  of 
this  zealot  to  the  efforts  of  conviction  ;  for  on  the  side  of  his 
opponents,  he  contrived  that  every  avenue  should  be  closed 
by  a  wall  blank  as  indomitable  obstinacy  could  oppose.  He 
appeared  to  think  that  all  the  minor  conditions  of  argument 
and  reason  had  been  disposed  of  by  his  ancestors,  and  that 
it  only  remained  for  him  to  strengthen  the  many  defences  of 
his  subject,  and  now  and  then  to  scatter  by  a  fierce  sortie 
the  doctrinal  skirmishers  who  might  occasionally  approach 
his  parish.  There  was  a  remarkable  singleness  of  mind  in 
this  religionist,  which,  while  it  in  some  measure  rendered 
oven  his  bigotry  respectable,  greatly  aided  in  clearing  the 
knotty  subject  with  which  he  dealt,  of  much  embarrassing 
matter.  In  his  eyes,  the  straight  and  narrow  path  would 
hold  but  few  besides  his  own  flock.  He  admitted  some  for- 
tuitous exceptions,  in  one  or  two  of  the  nearest  parishes, 
with  whose  clergymen  he  was  in  the  habit  of  exchanging 
pulpits  ;  and  perhaps,  here  and  there,  in  a  saint  of  the  other 
hemisphere,  or  of  the  more  distant  towns  of  the  colonies,  the 
brightness  of  whose  faith  was  something  aided,  in  his  eyes, 

18 


274          Ube  Mept  of 


by  distance,  as  this  opaque  globe  of  ours  is  thought  to  appear 
a  ball  of  light  to  those  who  inhabit  its  satellite.  In  short, 
there  was  an  admixture  of  seeming  charity  with  an  exclu- 
siveness  of  hope,  an  unweariness  of  exertion  with  a  coolness 
of  exterior,  a  disregard  of  self  with  the  most  complacent 
security,  and  an  uncomplaining  submission  to  temporal  evils 
with  the  loftiest  spiritual  pretensions,  that  in  some  measure 
rendered  him  a  man  as  difficult  to  comprehend  as  to  de- 
scribe. 

At  an  early  hour  in  the  forenoon,  a  little  bell  that  was  sus- 
pended in  an  awkward  belfry,  perched  on  the  roof  of  the 
meeting-house,  began  to  summon  the  congregation  to  the 
place  of  worship.  The  call  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  ere 
the  first  notes  had  reached  the  echoes  of  the  hills,  the  wide 
and  grassy  street  was  covered  with  family  groups,  all  tak- 
ing the  same  direction.  Foremost  in  each  little  party  walked 
the  austere  father,  perhaps  bearing  in  his  arms  a  suckled 
infant,  or  some  child  yet  too  young  to  sustain  its  own  weight  ; 
while  at  a  decent  distance  followed  the  equally  grave  matron, 
casting  oblique  and  severe  glances  at  the  little  troop  around 
her,  in  whom  acquired  habits  had  yet  some  conquests  to  ob- 
tain over  the  lighter  impulses  of  vanity.  Where  there  was 
no  child  to  need  support,  or  where  the  mother  chose  to  as- 
sume the  office  of  bearing  her  infant  in  person,  the  man  was 
seen  to  carry  one  of  the  heavy  muskets  of  the  day  ;  and  when 
his  arms  were  otherwise  employed,  the  stoutest  of  his  boys 
served  in  the  capacity  of  armor-bearer.  But  in  no  instance 
was  this  needful  precaution  neglected,  the  state  of  the  prov- 
ince and  the  character  of  the  enemy  requiring  that  vigilance 
should  mingle  even  with  their  devotions.  There  was  no 
loitering  on  the  path,  no  light  and  worldly  discourse  by  the 
way,  nor  even  any  salutations,  other  than  those  grave  and 
serious  recognitions  by  hat  and  eye,  which  usage  tolerated 
as  the  utmost  limit  of  courtesy  on  the  weekly  festival. 

When  the  bell  changed  its  tone,  Meek  appeared  from  the 
gate  of  the  fortified  house  where  he  resided,  in  quality  of 
castellan,  on  account  of  its  public  character,  its  additional 
security,  and  the  circumstance  that  his  studious  habits  per- 
mitted him  to  discharge  the  trust  with  less  waste  of  manual 


TKDlept  of  TOisb^on^Misb          275 

labor  than  it  would  cost  the  village  were  the  responsible 
office  confided  to  one  of  more  active  habits.  His  consort 
followed,  but  at  even  a  greater  distance  than  that  taken  by 
the  wives  of  other  men,  as  if  she  felt  the  awful  necessity  of 
averting  even  the  remotest  possibility  of  scandal  from  one  of 
so  sacred  a  profession.  Nine  offspring  of  various  ages,  and 
one  female  assistant,  of  years  too  tender  to  be  a  wife  herself, 
composed  the  household  of  the  divine  ;  and  it  was  a  proof  of 
the  salubrious  air  of  the  valley  that  all  were  present,  since 
nothing  but  illness  was  ever  deemed  a  sufficient  excuse  for 
absence  from  the  common  worship.  As  this  little  flock  is- 
sued from  the  palisadoes,  a  female,  in  whose  pale  cheek  the 
effects  of  recent  illness  might  yet  be  traced,  held  open  the 
gate  for  the  entrance  of  Reuben  Ring  and  a  stout  youth,  who 
bore  the  prolific  consort  of  the  former,  with  her  bounteous 
gift,  into  the  citadel  of  the  village,  a  place  of  refuge  that 
nothing  but  the  undaunted  resolution  of  the  woman  prevented 
her  from  occupying  before,  since  more  than  half  of  the  chil- 
dren of  the  valley  had  first  seen  the  light  within  the  security 
of  its  defences. 

The  family  of  Meek  preceded  him  into  the  temple,  and 
when  the  feet  of  the  minister  himself  crossed  its  threshold, 
there  was  no  human  form  visible  without  its  walls.  The  bell 
ceased  its  monotonous  and  mournful  note,  and  the  tall,  gaunt 
form  of  the  divine  moved  through  the  narrow  aisle  to  its 
usual  post,  with  the  air  of  one  who  had  already  more  than 
half  rejected  the  burden  of  bodily  encumbrance.  A  search- 
ing and  stern  glance  was  thrown  around,  as  if  he  possessed 
an  instinctive  power  to  detect  all  delinquents,  and  then  seat- 
ing himself,  the  deep  stillness  that  always  preceded  the  exer- 
cises reigned  in  the  place. 

When  the  divine  next  showed  his  austere  countenance  to 
his  expecting  people,  its  meaning  was  expressive  rather  of 
some  matter  of  worldly  import,  than  of  that  absence  of  carnal 
interest  with  which  he  usually  strove  to  draw  near  to  his 
Creator  in  prayer. 

'  *  Captain  Content  Heathcote, ' '  he  said  with  grave  severity, 
after  permitting  a  short  pause  to  awaken  reverence,  * '  there 
has  one  ridden  through  this  valley  on  the  Lord's  day,  making 


276  Ube  TKDlept  of 


thy  habitation  his  halting-place.  Hath  the  traveller  war- 
ranty for  this  disrespect  of  the  Sabbath,  and  canst  thou  find 
sufficient  reason  in  his  motive,  for  permitting  the  stranger 
within  thy  gates  to  neglect  the  solemn  ordinance  delivered 
on  the  mount  ?  " 

•'He  rideth  on  especial  commission,"  answered  Content, 
who  had  respectfully  arisen  when  thus  addressed  by  name  ; 
*  *  for  matter  of  grave  interest  to  the  well-being  of  the  colony 
is  contained  in  the  subject  of  his  errand." 

'  *  There  is  naught  more  deeply  connected  with  the  well- 
being  of  man,  whether  resident  in  this  colony  or  in  more 
lofty  empires,  than  reverence  to  God's  declared  will,"  re- 
turned Meek,  but  half-appeased  by  the  apology.  *  '  It  would 
have  been  expedient  for  one,  who  in  common  not  only  set- 
teth  so  good  an  example  himself,  but  who  is  also  charged 
with  the  mantle  of  authority,  to  have  looked  with  distrust 
into  the  pretences  of  a  necessity  that  may  be  only  seeming." 

"The  motive  shall  be  declared  to  the  people  at  a  fitting 
moment  ;  but  it  hath  seemed  more  wise  to  retain  the  sub- 
stance of  the  horseman's  errand  until  worship  hath  been 
offered,  without  the  alloy  of  temporal  concerns." 

11  Therein  hast  thou  acted  discreetly  ;  for  a  divided  mind 
giveth  but  little  joy  above.  I  hope  there  is  equal  reason 
why  all  of  thy  household  are  not  with  thee  in  the  temple  ?  '  ' 

Notwithstanding  the  usual  self-command  of  Content,  he 
did  not  revert  to  this  subject  without  emotion.  Casting  a 
subdued  glance  at  the  empty  seat  where  she  whom  he  so 
much  loved  was  wont  to  worship  at  his  side,  he  said,  in  a 
voice  that  evidently  struggled  to  maintain  its  customary 
equanimity,— 

"There  has  been  powerful  interest  awakened  beneath  my 
roof  this  day,  and  it  may  be  that  the  duty  of  the  Sabbath 
has  been  overlooked  by  minds  so  exercised.  If  we  have 
therein  sinned,  I  hope  He  that  looketh  kindly  on  the  peni- 
tent will  forgive  !  She  of  whom  thou  speakest  hath  been 
shaken  by  the  violence  of  griefs  renewed  ;  though  willing  in 
spirit,  a  feeble  and  sinking  frame  is  not  equal  to  support  the 
fatigue  of  appearing  here,  even  though  it  be  the  house  of 
God." 


Ube  Wept  of  Mfsb^on^KIltsb          277 

This  extraordinary  exercise  of  pastoral  authority  was  un- 
interrupted, even  by  the  breathings  of  the  congregation. 
Any  incident  of  an  unusual  character  had  attraction  for  the 
inhabitants  of  a  village  so  remote ;  but  here  was  deep,  do- 
mestic interest,  connected  with  breach  of  usage  and  indeed 
of  law,  and  all  heightened  by  that  secret  influence  that  leads 
us  to  listen  with  singular  satisfaction  to  those  emotions  in 
others  which  it  is  believed  to  be  natural  to  wish  to  conceal. 
Not  a  syllable  that  fell  from  the  lips  of  the  divine,  or  of 
Content — not  a  deep  tone  of  severity  in  the  former,  nor  a 
struggling  accent  of  the  latter,  escaped  the  dullest  ear  in 
that  assembly.  Notwithstanding  the  grave  and  regulated 
air  that  was  common  to  all,  it  is  needless  to  say  there  was 
pleasure  in  the  little  interruption  of  this  scene,  which,  how- 
ever, was  far  from  being  extraordinary  in  a  community 
where  it  was  not  only  believed  that  spiritual  authority  might 
extend  itself  to  the  most  familiar  practices,  but  where  few 
domestic  interests  were  deemed  so  exclusive,  or  individual 
feelings  considered  so  sacred,  that  a  very  large  proportion 
of  the  whole  neighborhood  might  not  claim  a  right  to  par- 
ticipate largely  in  both.  The  Reverend  Mr.  Wolfe  was  ap- 
peased by  the  explanation,  and  after  allowing  a  sufficient 
time  to  elapse,  in  order  that  the  minds  of  the  congregation 
should  recover  their  tone,  he  proceeded  with  the  regular 
services  of  the  morning. 

It  is  needless  to  recount  the  well-known  manner  of  the 
religious  exercises  of  the  Puritans.  Enough  of  their  forms 
and  of  their  substance  has  been  transmitted  to  us,  to  render 
both  manner  and  doctrine  familiar  to  most  of  our  readers. 
We  shall  therefore  confine  our  duty  to  a  relation  of  such 
portions  of  the  ceremonies — if  that  which  sedulously  avoided 
every  appearance  of  form  can  thus  be  termed — as  have  an 
immediate  connection  with  the  incidents. 

The  divine  had  gone  through  a  short  opening  prayer,  had 
read  the  passage  of  holy  writ,  had  given  out  the  verses  of 
the  psalm,  and  had  joined  in  the  strange  nasal  melody  with 
which  his  flock  endeavored  to  render  it  doubly  acceptable, 
and  had  ended  his  long  and  fervent  wrestling  of  the  spirit  in 
a  colloquial  petition  of  some  *  forty  minutes'  duration,  in 


278          tTbe  Wept  of 


which  direct  allusion  had  been  made  not  only  to  the  subject 
of  his  recent  examination,  but  to  divers  other  familiar  inter- 
ests of  his  parishioners,  and  all  without  any  departure  from 
the  usual  zeal  on  his  own  part,  or  of  the  customary  attention 
and  grave  decorum  on  that  of  his  people.  But  when,  for 
the  second  time,  he  rose  to  read  another  song  of  worship  and 
thanksgiving,  a  form  was  seen  in  the  centre  or  principal 
aisle,  that  as  well  by  its  attire  and  aspect,  as  by  the  unusual 
and  irreverent  tardiness  of  its  appearance,  attracted  general 
observation.  Interruptions  of  this  nature  were  unfrequent, 
and  even  the  long  practised  and  abstracted  minister  paused 
for  an  instant,  ere  he  proceeded  with  the  hymn,  though  there 
was  a  suspicion  current  among  the  more  instructed  of  his 
parishioners,  that  the  sonorous  version  was  an  effusion  of 
his  own  muse. 

The  intruder  was  Whittal  Ring.  The  witless  young  man 
had  strayed  from  the  abode  of  his  sister,  and  found  his  way 
into  that  general  receptacle,  where  most  of  the  village  was 
congregated.  During  his  former  residence  in  the  valley, 
there  had  been  no  temple,  and  the  edifice,  its  interior  ar- 
rangements, the  faces  of  those  it  contained,  and  the  business 
on  which  they  had  assembled,  appeared  alike  strangers  to 
him.  It  was  only  when  the  people  lifted  up  their  voices  in 
the  song  of  praise,  that  some  glimmerings  of  his  ancient 
recollections  were  discoverable  in  his  inactive  countenance. 
Then,  indeed,  he  betrayed  a  portion  of  the  delight  which 
powerful  sounds  can  quicken,  even  in  beings  of  his  unhappy 
mental  constitution.  As  he  was  satisfied,  however,  to  remain 
in  a  retired  part  of  the  aisle,  listening  with  dull  admiration, 
even  the  grave  Ensign  Dudley,  whose  eye  had  once  or  twice 
seemed  ominous  of  displeasure,  saw  no  necessity  for  inter- 
ference. 

Meek  had  chosen  for  his  text,  on  that  day,  a  passage  from 
the  book  of  Judges  :  *  *  And  the  children  of  Israel  did  evil 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  ;  and  the  Lord  delivered  them  into 
the  hands  of  Midian  seven  years.  '  '  With  this  text  the  sub- 
tle-minded divine  dealt  powerfully,  entering  largely  into  the 
mysterious  and  allegorical  allusions  then  so  much  in  vogue. 
In  whatever  manner  he  viewed  the  subject,  he  found  reason 


Ube  Wept  of  Wisb^UotVQXIiteb          279 

to  liken  the  suffering,  bereaved,  and  yet  chosen  dwellers  of 
the  colonies,  to  the  race  of  the  Hebrews.  If  they  were  not 
set  apart  and  marked  from  all  others  of  the  earth,  in  order 
that  one  mightier  than  man  should  spring  from  their  loins, 
they  were  led  into  that  distant  wilderness,  far  from  the 
temptations  of  licentious  luxury,  or  the  worldly-mindedness 
of  those  who  built  their  structure  of  faith  on  the  sands  of 
temporal  honors,  to  preserve  the  word  in  purity.  As  there 
appeared  no  reason  on  the  part  of  the  divine  himself  to  dis- 
trust this  construction  of  the  words  he  had  quoted,  so  it  was 
evident  that  most  of  his  listeners  willingly  lent  their  ears 
to  so  soothing  an  argument. 

In  reference  to  Midian,  the  preacher  was  far  less  explicit. 
That  the  great  father  of  evil  was  in  some  way  intended  by 
this  allusion  could  not  be  doubted  ;  but  in  what  manner  the 
chosen  inhabitants  of  those  regions  were  to  feel  his  malign 
influence  was  matter  of  more  uncertainty.  At  times,  the 
greedy  ears  of  those  who  had  long  been  wrought  up  into 
the  impression  that  visible  manifestations  of  the  anger  or  of 
the  love  of  Providence  were  daily  presented  to  their  eyes, 
were  flattered  with  the  stern  joy  of  believing  that  the  war 
which  then  raged  around  them  was  intended  to  put  their 
moral  armor  to  the  proof,  and  that  out  of  the  triumph  of 
their  victories  were  to  flow  honor  and  security  to  the  church. 
Then  came  ambiguous  qualifications,  which  left  it  question- 
able whether  a  return  of  the  invisible  powers,  that  had  been 
known  to  be  so  busy  in  the  provinces,  were  not  the  judgment 
intended.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  Meek  himself  had 
the  clearest  mental  intelligence  on  a  point  of  this  subtlety, 
for  there  was  something  of  misty  hallucination  in  the  man- 
ner in  which  he  treated  it,  as  will  be  seen  by  his  closing 
words. 

'  *  To  imagine  that  Azazel  regardeth  the  long-suffering  and 
steadfastness  of  a  chosen  people  with  a  pleasant  eye,"  he 
said,  * '  is  to  believe  that  the  marrow  of  righteousness  can 
exist  in  the  carrion  of  deceit.  We  have  already  seen  his 
envious  spirit  raging  in  many  tragical  instances.  If  re- 
quired to  raise  a  warning  beacon  to  your  eyes,  by  which  the 
presence  of  this  treacherous  enemy  might  be  known,  I  should 


280          Ube  Mept  of 


say,  in  the  words  of  one  learned  and  ingenious  in  this  craft 
iness,  that,  *  when  a  person,  having  full  reason,  doth  know- 
ingly and  wittingly  seek  and  obtain  of  the  devil,  or  any 
other  God  besides  the  true  God  Jehovah,  an  ability  to  do  or 
know  strange  things,  which  he  cannot  by  his  own  human 
abilities  arrive  unto,  *  that  then  he  may  distrust  his  gifts  and 
tremble  for  his  soul.  And,  oh  !  my  brethren,  how  many  of 
ye  cling  at  this  very  moment  to  those  tragical  delusions,  and 
worship  the  things  of  the  world,  instead  of  fattening  on  the 
famine  of  the  desert,  which  is  the  sustenance  of  them 
that  would  live  forever  !  Lift  your  eyes  upwards,  my 
brethren  —  '  ' 

"  Rather  turn  them  to  the  earth  !  "  interrupted  a  deep, 
authoritative  voice  from  the  body  of  the  church  ;  '  *  there  is 
present  need  of  all  your  faculties  to  save  life,  and  even  to 
guard  the  tabernacle  of  the  Lord  !  '  ' 

Religious  exercises  composed  the  recreation  of  the 
dwellers  in  that  distant  settlement.  When  they  met  in 
companies  to  lighten  the  load  of  life,  prayer  and  songs  of 
praise  were  among  the  usual  indulgences  of  the  entertain- 
ment. To  them,  a  sermon  was  like  a  gay  scenic  exhibition 
in  other  and  vainer  communities,  and  none  listened  to  the 
word  with  cold  and  inattentive  ears.  In  literal  obedience 
to  the  command  of  the  preacher,  and  sympathizing  with 
his  own  action,  every  eye  in  the  congregation  had  been 
turned  towards  the  naked  rafters  of  the  roof,  when  the 
unknown  tones  of  him  who  spoke  broke  the  momentary 
delusion.  It  is  needless  to  say  that,  by  a  common  move- 
ment, they  sought  an-  explanation  of  this  extraordinary 
appeal.  The  divine  became  mute,  equally  with  wonder 
and  with  indignation. 

A  first  glance  was  enough  to  assure  all  present  that  new 
and  important  interests  were  likely  to  be  awakened.  A 
stranger  of  grave  aspect,  and  of  a  calm  but  understanding 
eye,  stood  at  the  side  of  Whittal  Ring.  His  attire  was 
of  the  simple  guise  and  homely  materials  of  the  country. 
Still  he  bore  about  his  person  enough  of  the  equipments 
of  one  familiar  with  the  wars  of  the  eastern  hemisphere, 
to  strike  the  senses.  His  hand  was  armed  with  a  shining 


TTbe  Mept  of  TOtsb^on^Misb          281 

broadsword,  such  as  were  then  used  by  the  cavaliers  of 
Kngland,  and  at  his  back  was  slung  the  short  carabine  of 
one  who  battled  in  the  saddle.  His  mien  was  dignified  and 
even  commanding,  and  there  was  no  second  look  necessary 
to  show  that  he  was  an  intruder  of  a  character  altogether 
different  from  the  moping  innocent  at  his  side. 

' '  Why  is  one  of  an  unknown  countenance  come  to 
disturb  the  worship  of  the  temple  ?  "  demanded  Meek,  when 
astonishment  permitted  utterance.  ' '  Thrice  hath  this  holy 
day  been  profaned  by  the  foot  of  the  stranger,  and  well 
may  it  be  doubted  whether  we  live  not  under  an  evil 
agency." 

"Arm,  men  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish!  arm,  and  to  your 
defences  ! ' ' 

A  cry  arose  without,  that  seemed  to  circle  the  whole 
valley  ;  and  then  a  thousand  whoops  rolled  out  of  the 
arches  of  the  forest,  and  appeared  to  meet  in  one  hostile 
din  above  the  devoted  hamlet.  These  were  sounds  that  had 
been  too  often  heard,  or  too  often  described,  not  to  be  gen- 
erally understood.  A  scene  of  wild  confusion  followed. 

Each  man,  on  entering  the  church,  had  deposited  his  arms 
at  the  door,  and  thither  most  of  the  stout  borderers  were 
now  seen  hastening  to  resume  their  weapons.  Women 
gathered  their  children  to  their  sides,  and  the  wails  of 
horror  and  alarm  were  beginning  to  break  through  the 
restraints  of  habit. 

' '  Peace  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  pastor,  seemingly  excited  to 
a  degree  above  human  emotion.  "Ere  we  go  forth,  let 
there  be  a  voice  raised  to  our  heavenly  Father.  The  ask- 
ing shall  be  as  a  thousand  men  of  war  battling  in  our 
behalf!" 

The  commotion  ceased  as  suddenly  as  if  a  mandate  had 
been  issued  from  that  place  to  which  their  petition  was 
to  be  addressed.  Even  the  stranger,  who  had  regarded  the 
preparations  with  a  stern  but  anxious  eye,  bowed  his  head 
and  seemed  to  join  in  the  prayer,  with  a  devoted  and  con- 
fiding heart. 

"Lord!"  said  Meek,  stretching  his  meagre  arms,  with 
the  palms  of  the  hands  open*  high  above  the  heads  of  his 


282  TTbe  TKHept  of 


flock,  *  '  at  thy  bidding,  we  go  forth  ;  with  thy  aid,  the  gates 
of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  us  ;  with  thy  mercy,  there 
is  hope  in  heaven  and  on  earth.  It  is  for  thy  tabernacle 
that  we  shed  blood  ;  it  is  for  thy  word  that  we  contend. 
Battle  in  our  behalf,  King  of  Kings  !  send  thy  heavenly 
legions  to  our  succor,  that  the  song  of  victory  may  be  in- 
cense at  thy  altars,  and  a  foul  hearing  to  the  ears  of  the 
enemy  —  Amen.  '  ' 

There  was  a  depth  in  the  voice  of  the  speaker,  a  super- 
natural calmness  in  the  tones,  and  so  great  a  confidence  in 
the  support  of  the  mighty  ally  implored,  that  the  words 
went  to  every  heart.  It  was  impossible  that  nature  should 
not  be  powerful  within,  but  a  high  and  exciting  enthusiasm 
began  to  lift  the  people  far  above  its  influence.  Thus 
awakened  by  an  appeal  to  feelings  that  had  never  slum- 
bered, and  stimulated  by  all  the  moving  interests  of  life,  the 
men  of  the  valley  poured  out  of  the  temple  in  defence  of  person 
and  fireside,  and,  as  they  believed,  of  religion  and  of  God. 

There  was  pressing  necessity  not  only  for  this  zeal,  but 
for  all  the  physical  energies  of  the  stoutest  of  their  num- 
bers. The  spectacle  that  met  the  view  on  issuing  into  the 
open  air  was  one  that  might  have  appalled  the  hearts  of 
warriors  more  practised,  and  have  paralyzed  the  efforts  of 
men  less  susceptible  to  the  impressions  of  religious  excite- 
ment. 

Dark  forms  were  leaping  through  the  fields  on  the  hill- 
sides ;  and  all  adown  the  slopes  that  conducted  to  the  val- 
ley armed  savages  were  seen  pouring  madly  forward,  on 
their  path  of  destruction  and  vengeance.  Behind  them, 
the  brand  and  the  knife  had  been  already  used  ;  for  the 
log  tenement,  the  stacks,  and  the  out-buildings  of  Reuben 
Ring,  and  several  others  who  dwelt  in  the  skirts  of  the 
settlement,  were  sending  forth  clouds  of  murky  smoke,  in 
which  forked  and  angry  flames  were  already  flashing  fiercely. 
But  danger  most  pressed  still  nearer.  A  long  line  of  fierce 
warriors  was  even  in  the  meadows  ;  and  in  no  direction 
could  the  eye  be  turned  that  it  did  not  meet  with  the  ap- 
palling proof  that  the  village  was  completely  surrounded 
by  an  overwhelming  superiority  of  force, 


TTbe  Wept  of  Mteb*aon*Timteb          283 

' '  To  the  garrison ! ' '  shouted  some  of  the  foremost  of 
those  who  first  saw  the  nature  and  imminency  of  the  danger, 
pressing  forward  themselves  in  the  direction  of  the  fortified 
house.  "  To  the  garrison,  or  we  are  lost !  " 

' '  Hold  ! ' '  exclaimed  that  voice  which  was  so  strange  to 
the  ears  of  most  of  those  who  heard  it,  but  which  spoke  in 
a  manner  that  by  its  compass  and  firmness  commanded  obe- 
dience. "With  this  mad  disorder  we  are  truly  lost.  I^et 
Captain  Content  Heathcote  come  to  my  councils." 

Notwithstanding  the  tumult  and  confusion  which  had 
now  in  truth  begun  to  rage  fearfully  around  him,  the  quiet 
and  self- restrained  individual  to  whom  the  legal  and  per- 
haps moral  right  to  command  belonged,  had  lost  none  of 
his  customary  composure.  It  was  plain  by  the  look  of 
powerful  amazement  with  which  he  had  at  first  regarded 
the  stranger  on  his  sudden  interruption  of  the  service,  and 
by  the  glances  of  secret  intelligence  and  recognition  they 
exchanged,  that  they  had  met  before.  But  this  was  no 
time  for  greetings  or  explanations,  nor  was  that  a  scene  in 
which  to  waste  the  precious  moments  in  useless  contests 
about  opinions. 

"I  am  here,"  said  he  who  was  thus  called  for;  "  ready 
to  lead  whither  thy  prudence  and  experience  shall  point  the 
way." 

"Speak  to  thy  people,  and  separate  the  combatants  in 
three  bodies  of  equal  strength.  One  shall  press  forward  to 
the  meadows,  and  beat  back  the  savage  ere  he  encircle  the 
palisadoed  house  ;  the  second  shall  proceed  with  the  feeble 
and  tender  in  their  flight  to  its  covers  ;  and  with  the  third 
— but  thou  knowest  that  which  I  would  do  with  the  third. 
Hasten,  or  we  lose  all  by  tardiness." 

It  was  perhaps  fortunate  that  orders  so  necessary  and  so 
urgent  were  given  to  one  little  accustomed  to  superfluity  of 
speech.  Without  offering  either  commendation  or  dissent, 
Content  obeyed.  Accustomed  to  his  authority,  and  con- 
scious of  the  critical  situation  of  all  that  was  dear,  the 
men  of  the  village  yielded  an  obedience  more  prompt  and 
effective  than  it  is  usual  to  meet  in  soldiers  who  are  not 
familiar  with  habits  of  discipline.  The  fighting  men  were 


284          Ube  TOept  of 


quickly  separated  into  three  bodies,  consisting  of  rather 
more  than  a  score  of  combatants  in  each.  One,  commanded 
by  Eben  Dudley,  advanced  at  quick  time  towards  the 
meadows  in  the  rear  of  the  fortress,  that  the  whooping  body 
of  savages,  who  were  already  threatening  to  cut  off  the  re- 
treat of  the  women  and  children,  should  be  checked  ;  while 
another  departed  in  a  nearly  opposite  direction,  taking  the 
street  of  the  hamlet,  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  those  who 
advanced  by  the  southern  entrance  of  the  valley.  The  third 
and  last  of  these  small  but  devoted  bodies  remained  station- 
ary, in  attendance  for  more  definite  orders. 

At  the  moment  when  the  first  of  these  little  divisions  of 
force  was  ready  to  move,  the  divine  appeared  in  its  front, 
with  an  air  in  which  spiritual  reliance  on  the  purposes  of 
Providence,  and  some  show  of  temporal  determination,  were 
singularly  united.  In  one  hand  he  bore  a  Bible,  which  he 
raised  on  high  as  the  sacred  standard  of  his  followers,  and 
in  the  other  he  brandished  a  short  broadsword,  in  a  manner 
that  proved  there  might  be  danger  in  encountering  its  blade. 
The  volume  was  open,  and  at  brief  intervals  the  divine  read 
in  a  high  and  excited  voice  such  passages  as  accidentally 
met  his  eye,  the  leaves  blowing  about  in  a  manner  to  pro- 
duce a  rather  remarkable  admixture  of  doctrine  and  senti- 
ment. But  to  these  trifling  moral  incongruities,  both  the 
pastor  and  his  parishioners  were  alike  indifferent  ;  their 
subtle  mental  exercises  having  given  birth  to  a  tendency  of 
aptly  reconciling  all  seeming  discrepancies,  as  well  as  of 
accommodating  the  most  abstruse  doctrines  to  the  more 
familiar  interests  of  life. 

"  Israel  and  the  Philistines  had  put  their  battle  in  array, 
army  against  army,"  commenced  Meek,  as  the  troop  he  led 
began  its  advance.  Then  reading  at  short  intervals  he  con- 
tinued, "  Behold  I  will  do  a  thing  in  Israel,  at  which  both 
the  ears  of  every  one  that  heareth  it  shall  tingle."  —  "O 
house  of  Aaron,  trust  in  the  Lord  ;  He  is  thy  help  and  thy 
shield."  —  "  Deliver  me,  O  Lord,  from  the  evil  man  ;  preserve 
me  from  the  violent  man."  —  "Let  burning  coals  fall  upon 
them  ;  let  them  be  cast  into  the  fire  ;  into  deep  pits  ;  that 
they  rise  not  again."  —  "  Let  the  wicked  fall  into  their  own 


Ube  Mept  of  Mteb^oiWCfflteb          285 

nets,  whilst  that  I,  withal,  escape." — "Therefore  doth  my 
father  love  me,  because  I  lay  down  my  life,  that  I  may  take 
it  again." — "  He  that  hateth  me,  hateth  my  father  also."— 
"  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do." — 
*  *  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  an  eye  for  an 
eye,  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth." — "  For  Joshua  drew  not  his 
hand  back,  wherewith  he  stretched  out  the  spear,  until  he 
had  utterly  destroyed  all  the  inhabitants  of  Ai." — Thus 
far  the  words  of  Meek  were  intelligible  to  those  who  re- 
mained, but  distance  soon  confounded  the  syllables.  Then 
naught  was  audible  but  the  yells  of  the  enemy,  the  tramp 
of  the  men  who  pressed  in  the  rear  of  the  priest,  with  a 
display  of  military  pomp  as  formidable  as  their  limited 
means  would  allow,  and  those  clear  high  tones,  which 
sounded  in  the  ears  and  quickened  the  blood  at  the  hearts 
of  his  followers  as  though  they  had  been  trumpet-blasts. 
In  a  few  more  minutes  the  little  band  was  scattered  be- 
hind the  covers  of  the  fields,  and  the  rattling  of  fire-arms 
succeeded  to  the  quaint  and  characteristic  manner  of  their 
march. 

While  this  movement  was  made  in  front,  the  party  or- 
dered to  cover  the  village  was  not  idle.  Commanded  by  a 
sturdy  yeoman,  who  filled  the  office  of  lieutenant,  it  ad- 
vanced with  less  of  religious  display,  but  with  equal  activity, 
in  the  direction  of  the  south  ;  and  the  sounds  of  contention 
were  quickly  heard,  proclaiming  both  the  urgency  of  the 
measure,  and  the  warmth  of  the  conflict. 

In  the  meantime  equal  decision,  though  tempered  by 
some  circumstances  of  deep  personal  interest,  was  displayed 
by  those  who  had  been  left  in  front  ot  the  church.  As  soon 
as  the  band  of  Meek  had  got  to  such  a  distance  as  to 
promise  security  to  those  who  followed,  the  stranger  com- 
manded the  children  to  be  led  towards  the  fortified  house. 
This  duty  was  performed  by  the  trembling  mothers,  who 
had  been  persuaded  with  difficulty  to  defer  it  until  cooler 
heads  should  pronounce  that  the  proper  moment  had  come. 
A  few  of  the  women  dispersed  among  the  dwellings  in  quest 
of  the  infirm,  while  all  the  boys  of  proper  age  were  actively 
employed  in  transporting  indispensable  articles  from  the 


286          Ube  Mept  ot 


village  within  the  palisadoes.  As  these  several  movements 
were  simultaneous,  but  a  very  few  minutes  elapsed  between 
the  time  when  the  orders  were  issued  and  the  moment  when 
they  were  accomplished. 

'  '  I  had  intended  that  thou  shouldst  have  had  the  charge 
in  the  meadows,"  said  the  stranger  to  Content,  when  naught 
remained  to  be  performed  but  that  which  had  been  reserved 
for  the  last  of  the  three  little  bands  of  fighting  men.  '  '  But 
as  the  work  proceedeth  bravely  in  that  quarter,  we  will  move 
in  company.  Why  doth  this  maiden  tarry  ?  '  ' 

'  '  Truly  I  know  not,  unless  it  may  be  of  fear.  There  is 
an  opening  for  thy  passage  into  the  fort,  Martha,  with  others 
of  thy  sex." 

'  *  I  will  follow  the  fighters  that  are  about  to  march  to  the 
rescue  of  them  that  remain  in  our  habitation,"  said  the  girl, 
in  a  low  but  steady  voice. 

"  And  how  knowest  thou  that  such  is  the  service  intended 
for  those  here  arrayed  ?  '  '  demanded  the  stranger,  with  a  little 
show  of  displeasure  that  his  military  purposes  should  have 
been  anticipated. 

"  I  see  it  in  the  countenances  of  them  that  tarry,"  returned 
the  other,  gazing  furtively  towards  Mark,  who,  posted  in  the 
little  line,  could  with  difficulty  brook  a  delay  which  threat- 
ened his  father's  house,  and  those  whom  it  held,  with  so 
much  jeopardy. 

"  Forward  !  "  cried  the  stranger.  "  Here  is  no  leisure  for 
dispute.  I^et  the  maiden  take  wisdom  and  hasten  to  the 
fort.  Follow,  men  stout  of  heart,  or  we  come  too  late  to  the 
succor  !  " 

Martha  waited  until  the  party  had  advanced  a  few  paces, 
and  then,  instead  of  obeying  the  repeated  mandate  to  consult 
her  personal  safety,  she  took  the  direction  of  the  armed  band. 

"  I  fear  me  that  't  will  exceed  our  strength,"  observed  the 
stranger,  who  marched  in  front  at  the  side  of  Content,  '  '  to 
make  good  the  dwelling,  at  so  great  distance  from  further 
aid." 

'*  And  yet  the  visitation  will  be  heavy  that  shall  drive  us 
for  a  second  time  to  the  fields  for  a  resting-place.  In  what 
manner  didst  get  warning  of  this  inroad  ?  '  ' 


Ube  Mept  ot  TOisb^otWflfllfsb          287 

"  The  savages  believed  themselves  concealed  in  the  cun« 
ning  place,  where  thou  knowest  that  my  eyelhad  opportunity 
to  overlook  their  artifices.  There  is  a  Providence  in  our 
least  seeming  calculations  :  an  imprisonment  of  weary  years 
hath  its  reward  in  this  warning  ! ' ' 

Content  appeared  to  acquiesce,  but  the  situation  of  affairs 
prevented  the  discourse  from  becoming  more  minute. 

As  they  approached  the  dwelling  of  the  Heathcctes,  bet- 
ter opportunity  of  observing  the  condition  of  things  in  and 
around  the  house  was  of  course  obtained.  The  position  of 
the  building  would  have  rendered  any  attempt  on  the  part 
of  those  in  it  to  gain  the  fort,  ere  the  arrival  of  assistance, 
desperately  hazardous,  since  the  meadows  that  lay  between 
them  were  already  alive  with  the  ferocious  warriors  of  the 
enemy.  But  it  was  evident  that  the  Puritan,  whose  infirmi- 
ties kept  him  within  doors,  entertained  no  such  design  ;  for 
it  was  shortly  apparent  that  those  within  were  closing  and 
barring  the  windows  of  the  habitation,  and  that  other  pro- 
visions for  defence  were  in  the  course  of  active  preparation. 
The  feelings  of  Content,  who  knew  that  the  house  contained 
only  his  wife  and  father,  with  one  female  assistant,  were  ex- 
cited to  agony,  as  the  party  he  commanded  drew  near  on  one 
side,  at  a  distance  about  equal  to  that  of  a  band  of  the  enemy, 
who  were  advancing  diagonally  from  the  woods  on  the  other. 
He  saw  the  efforts  of  those  so  dear  to  him,  as  they  had  re- 
course to  the  means  of  security  provided  to  repel  the  very 
danger  which  now  threatened  ;  and  to  his  eyes  it  appeared 
that  the  trembling  hands  of  Ruth  had  lost  their  power,  when 
haste  and  confusion  more  than  once  defeated  the  object  of 
her  exertions. 

' '  We  must  break  and  charge,  or  the  savage  will  be  too 
speedy  !  "  he  said,  in  tones  that  grew  thick  from  breathing 
quicker  than  was  wont,  for  one  of  his  calm  temperament. 
"  See  !  they  enter  the  orchard  !  In  another  minute  they  will 
be  masters  of  the  dwelling  ! ' ' 

But  his  companion  marched  with  a  firmer  step,  and 
looked  with  a  cooler  eye.  There  was  in  his  gaze  the  un- 
derstanding of  a  man  practised  in  scenes  of  sudden  danger, 
and  in  his  mien  the  authority  of  one  accustomed  to  command,. 


288          Ube  Mept  of 


11  Fear  not,"  he  answered  ;  "the  art  of  old  Mark  Heath- 
cote  hath  departed  from  him,  or  he  still  knoweth  how  to 
make  good  his  citadel  against  a  first  onset.  If  we  quit  our 
order  the  superiority  of  concert  will  be  lost,  and  being  few 
in  numbers  defeat  will  be  certain  ;  but  with  this  front,  and 
a  fitting  steadiness,  our  march  may  not  be  repulsed.  To 
thee,  Captain  Content  Heathcote,  it  need  not  be  told,  that 
he  who  now  counsels  hath  seen  the  strife  of  savages  ere  this 
hour." 

4  '  I  know  it  well  —  but  dost  not  see  my  Ruth  laboring  at 
the  ill-fated  shutter  of  the  chamber  ?  The  woman  will  be 
slain  in  her  heedlessness  —  for,  hark  !  there  beginneth  the 
volley  of  the  enemy  !  '  ' 

"No,  'tis  he  who  led  my  troop  in  a  far  different  war- 
fare !  '  '  exclaimed  the  stranger,  whose  form  grew  more  erect, 
and  whose  thoughtful  and  deeply  furrowed  features  assumed 
something  like  the  stern  pleasure  which  kindles  in  the  soldier 
as  the  sounds  of  contention  increase.  "  'T  is  old  Mark 
Heathcote,  true  to  his  breeding  and  his  name  !  he  hath  let 
off  the  culverin  upon  the  knaves  !  behold,  they  are  already 
disposed  to  abandon  one  who  speaketh  so  boldly,  and  are 
breaking  through  the  fences  to  the  left,  that  we  may  taste 
something  of  their  quality.  Now,  bold  Englishmen,  strong 
of  hand  and  stout  of  heart,  you  have  training  in  your  duty, 
and  you  shall  not  be  wanting  in  example.  You  have  wives 
and  children  at  hand,  looking  at  your  deeds  ;  and  there  is 
One  above  that  taketh  note  of  the  manner  in  which  you 
serve  in  this  cause.  Here  is  an  opening  for  your  skill  ; 
scourge  the  cannibals  with  the  hand  of  death  !  On,  on  to 
onset,  and  to  victory  !  " 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

'  'Hed.  Is  this  Achilles  ? 

Achil.      I  am  Achilles. 
Hect.     Stand  fair,  I  pray  thee :  let  me  look  on  thee." 

Troilus  and  Cressida* 

IT  may  now  be  necessary  to  take  a  rapid  glance  at  the 
situation  of  the  whole  combat,  which  had  begun  to 
thicken  in  different  parts  of  the  valley.  The  party 
led  by  Dudley  and  exhorted  by  Meek  had  broken  its 
order  on  reaching  the  meadows  behind  the  fort,  and  seeking 
the  covers  of  the  stumps  and  fences,  it  had  thrown  in  its 
fire  with  good  effect  on  the  irregular  band  that  had  pressed 
into  the  fields.  This  decision  quickly  caused  a  change  in 
the  manner  of  the  advance.  The  Indians  took  to  covers  in 
their  turn,  and  the  struggle  assumed  that  desultory  but  dan- 
gerous character,  in  which  the  steadiness  and  resources  of 
the  individual  are  put  to  the  severest  trial.  Success  appeared 
to  vacillate  ;  the  white  men  at  one  time  widening  the  dis- 
tance between  them  and  their  friends  in  the  dwelling,  and,  at 
another,  falling  back  as  if  disposed  to  seek  the  shelter  of  the 
palisadoes.  Although  numbers  were  greatly  in  favor  of  the 
Indians,  weapons  and  skill  supported  the  cause  of  their  ad- 
versaries. It  was  the  evident  wish  of  the  former  to  break 
in  upon  the  little  band  that  opposed  their  progress  to  the 
village,  in  and  about  which  they  saw  that  scene  of  hurried 
exertion  which  has  already  been  described — a  spectacle  but 
little  likely  to  cool  the  furious  ardor  of  an  Indian  onset. 
But  the  wary  manner  in  which  Dudley  conducted  his  battle 
rendered  this  an  experiment  of  exceeding  hazard. 

However  heavy  of  intellect,  the  ensign  might  appear  on 
other  occasions,  the  present  was  one  every  way  adapted  to 
19  289 


290          ttbe  Wept  of  Wfeb*cOu*'Kli3b 

draw  oat  his  best  and  most  manly  qualities.  Of  large  and 
powerful  stature,  he  felt  in  moments  of  strife  a  degree  of 
confidence  in  himself  that  was  commensurate  with  the 
amount  of  physical  force  he  wielded.  To  this  hardy  assur- 
ance was  to  be  added  no  trifling  portion  of  the  sort  of 
enthusiasm  that  can  be  awakened  in  the  most  sluggish 
bosoms,  and  which,  like  the  anger  of  an  even-tempered  man, 
is  only  the  more  formidable  from  the  usually  quiet  habits  of 
the  individual.  Nor  was  this  the  first,  by  many,  of  Ensign 
Dudley's  warlike  deeds.  Besides  the  desperate  affair  al- 
ready related  in  these  pages,  he  had  been  engaged  in  divers 
hostile  expeditions  against  the  aborigines,  and  on  all  occa- 
sions had  he  shown  a  cool  head  and  a  resolute  mind. 

There  was  pressing  necessity  for  both  these  essential 
qualities  in  the  situation  in  which  the  ensign  now  found 
himself.  By  properly  extending  his  little  force,  and  yet 
keeping  it  at  the  same  time  perfectly  within  supporting  dis- 
tance, by  emulating  the  caution  of  his  foes  in  consulting  the 
covers,  and  by  reserving  a  portion  of  his  fire  throughout 
the  broken  and  yet  well-ordered  line,  the  savages  were 
finally  beaten  back,  from  stump  to  stump,  from  hillock  to 
hillock,  and  fence  to  fence,  until  they  had  fairly  entered  the 
margin  of  the  forest.  Farther,  the  experienced  eye  of  the 
borderer  saw  he  could  not  follow.  Many  of  his  men  were 
bleeding,  and  growing  weaker  as  the  wounds  still  flowed. 
The  protection  of  the  trees  gave  the  enemy  too  great  an 
advantage  for  their  position  to  be  forced,  and  destruction 
would  have  been  the  inevitable  consequence  of  the  close 
struggle  which  must  have  followed  a  charge.  In  this  stage 
of  the  combat  Dudley  began  to  cast  anxious  and  inquiring 
looks  behind  him.  He  saw  that  support  was  not  to  be 
expected,  and  he  also  saw  with  regret  that  many  of  the 
women  and  children  were  still  busy  transporting  necessaries 
from  the  village  into  the  fort.  Falling  back  to  a  better 
line  of  covers,  and  to  a  distance  that  materially  lessened 
the  danger  of  the  arrows,  the  weapons  used  by  quite  two 
thirds  of  his  enemies,  he  awaited  in  sullen  silence  the  proper 
moment  to  effect  a  further  retreat. 

It  was  while  the  party  of  Dudley  stood  thus  at  bay,  that 


ZTbe  IClept  of  TXlisfVCOTWCClisb  291 

a  fierce  yell  rang  in  the  arches  of  the  forest  It  was  an 
exclamation  of  pleasure,  uttered  in  the  wild  manner  of 
those  people  ;  as  if  the  tenants  of  the  woods  were  animated 
by  some  sudden  and  general  impulse  of  joy.  The  crouch- 
ing yeomen  regarded  each  other  in  uneasiness,  but  seeing 
no  sign  of  wavering  in  the  steady  mien  of  their  leader,  each 
man  kept  close,  awaiting  some  further  exhibition  of  the 
devices  of  their  foes.  Ere  another  minute  had  passed,  two 
warriors  appeared  at  the  margin  of  the  wood,  where  they 
stood  apparently  in  contemplation  of  the  different  scenes 
that  were  acting  in  various  parts  of  the  valley.  More  than 
one  musket  was  levelled  with  the  intent  to  injure  them,  but 
a  sign  from  Dudley  prevented  attempts  that  would  most 
probably  have  been  frustrated  by  the  never-slumbering  vigi- 
lance of  a  North  American  Indian. 

There  was,  however,  something  in  the  air  and  port  of 
these  two  individuals,  that  had  its  share  in  producing  the 
forbearance  of  Dudley.  They  were  evidently  both  chiefs, 
and  of  far  more  than  usual  estimation.  As  was  common 
with  the  military  leaders  of  the  Indians,  they  were  men 
also  of  large  and  commanding  stature.  Viewed  at  the  dis- 
tance from  which  they  were  seen,  one  seemed  a  warrior  who 
had  reached  the  meridian  of  his  days,  while  the  other  had 
the  lighter  step  and  more  flexible  movement  of  a  much 
briefer  existence.  Both  were  well  armed,  and,  as  was 
usual  with  the  people  of  their  origin  on  the  war-path,  they 
were  clad  only  in  the  customary  scanty  covering  of  waist- 
cloths  and  leggings.  The  former,  however,  were  of  scarlet, 
and  the  latter  were  rich  in  the  fringes  and  bright  colors  of 
Indian  ornaments.  The  elder  of  the  two  wore  a  gay  belt 
of  wampum  around  his  head  in  the  form  of  a  turban  ;  but 
the  younger  appeared  with  a  shaven  crown,  on  which 
nothing  but  the  customary  chivalrous  scalp-lock  was  visible. 

The  consultation,  like  most  of  the  incidents  that  have 
been  just  related,  occupied  but  a  very  few  minutes.  The 
eldest  of  the  chiefs  issued  some  orders.  The  mind  of  Dud- 
ley was  anxiously  endeavoring  to  anticipate  their  nature, 
when  the  two  disappeared  together.  The  ensign  would 
now  have  been  left  entirely  to  vague  conjectures,  had  not 


292  ZTbe  Wept  of 


the  rapid  execution  of  the  mandates  that  had  been  issued 
to  the  youngest  of  the  Indians  soon  left  him  in  no  doubt 
of  their  intentions.  Another  loud  and  general  shout  drew 
his  attention  towards  the  right  ;  and  when  he  had  endeav- 
ored to  strengthen  his  position  by  calling  three  or  four  of 
the  best  marksmen  to  that  end  of  his  little  line,  the  young- 
est of  the  chiefs  was  seen  bounding  across  the  meadow, 
leading  a  train  of  whooping  followers  to  the  covers  that 
commanded  its  opposite  extremity.  In  short,  the  position 
of  Dudley  was  completely  turned  ;  and  the  stumps  and 
angles  of  the  fences  which  secreted  his  men  were  likely  to 
become  of  no  further  use.  The  emergency  demanded  de- 
cision. Collecting  his  yeomen  ere  the  enemy  had  time  to 
profit  by  his  advantage,  the  ensign  ordered  a  rapid  retreat 
towards  the  fort.  In  this  movement  he  was  favored  by  the 
formation  of  the  ground,  a  circumstance  that  had  been  well 
considered  on  the  advance  ;  and  in  a  very  few  minutes  the 
party  found  itself  safely  posted  under  the  protection  of  a 
scattering  fire  from  the  palisadoes,  which  immediately 
checked  the  pursuit  of  the  whooping  and  exulting  foe.  The 
wounded  men,  after  a  stern  or  rather  sullen  halt,  that  was 
intended  to  exhibit  the  unconquerable  determination  of  the 
whites,  withdrew  into  the  works  for  succor,  leaving  the 
command  of  Dudley  reduced  by  nearly  one  half  of  its  num- 
bers. With  this  diminished  force,  however,  he  promptly 
turned  his  attention  towards  the  assistance  of  those  who 
combated  at  the  opposite  extremity  of  the  village. 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  manner  in  which 
the  houses  of  a  new  settlement  were  clustered  near  each  other, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  colonial  establishments.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  more  obvious  and  sufficient  motive,  which  has 
given  rise  to  the  same  inconvenient  and  unpicturesque  man- 
ner of  building  over  nine  tenths  of  the  continent  of  Europe, 
there  had  been  found  a  religious  inducement  for  conforming 
to  the  custom.  One  of  the  enactments  of  the  Puritans  said, 
that  "no  man  shall  set  his  dwelling-house  above  the  dis- 
tance of  a  half  a  mile,  or  a  mile  at  farthest,  from  the  meet- 
ing of  the  congregation  where  the  church  doth  usually 
assemble  for  the  worship  of  God."  "  The  support  of  the 


Wept  of  WiiBb*Uon*'mteb          293 

worship  of  God,  in  church  fellowship,"  was  the  reason  al- 
leged for  this  arbitrary  provision  of  the  law  ;  but  it  is  quite 
probable  that  support  against  danger  of  a  more  temporal 
character  was  another  motive.  There  were  those  within  the 
fort  who  believed  the  smoking  piles  that  were  to  be  seen, 
here  and  there,  in  the  clearings  on  the  hills,  owed  their  de- 
struction to  a  disregard  of  that  protection  which  was  thought 
to  be  yielded  to  those  who  leaned  with  the  greatest  confi- 
dence, even  in  the  forms  of  earthly  transactions,  on  the  sus- 
taining power  of  an  all-seeing  and  all-directing  Providence. 
Among  this  number  was  Reuben  Ring,  who  submitted  to 
the  lose  of  his  habitation,  as  to  a  merited  punishment  for 
the  light-mindedness  that  had  tempted  him  to  erect  a  dwell- 
ing at  the  utmost  limits  of  the  prescribed  distance. 

As  the  party  of  Dudley  retreated,  that  sturdy  yeoman 
stood  at  a  window  of  the  chamber  in  which  his  prolific 
partner  with  her  recent  gift  were  safely  lodged,  for  in  that 
moment  of  confusion  the  husband  was  compelled  to  discharge 
the  double  duty  of  sentinel  and  nurse.  He  had  just  fired 
his  piece,  and  he  had  reason  to  think  with  success,  on  the 
enemies  that  pressed  too  closely  on  the  retiring  party,  and 
as  he  reloaded  the  gun,  he  turned  a  melancholy  eye  on  the 
pile  of  smoking  embers,  that  now  lay  where  his  humble  but 
comfortable  habitation  had  so  lately  stood. 

' '  I  fear  me,  Abundance, ' '  he  said,  shaking  his  head  with 
a  sigh,  "that  there  was  error  in  the  measurement  between 
the  meeting  and  the  clearing.  Some  misgivings  of  the 
lawfulness  of  stretching  the  chain  across  the  hollows 
came  over  me  at  the  time ;  but  the  pleasant  knoll,  where 
the  dwelling  stood,  was  so  healthful  and  commodious,  that, 
if  it  were  a  sin,  I  hope  it  is  one  that  is  forgiven  !  There 
doth  not  seem  so  much  as  the  meanest  of  its  logs,  that  is  not 
now  melted  into  white  ashes  by  the  fire  !  " 

"Raise  me,  husband,"  returned  the  wife,  in  the  weak 
voice  natural  to  her  feeble  situation  ;  "  raise  me  with  thine 
arm,  that  I  may  look  upon  the  place  where  my  babes  first 
saw  the  light. ' ' 

Her  request  was  granted,  and  for  a  minute,  the  woman 
gazed  in  mute  grief  at  the  destruction  of  her  comfortable 


294          ftbe  IPdept  of 


home.  Then,  as  a  fresh  yell  from  the  foe  rose  on  the  air 
without,  she  trembled,  and  turned  with  a  mother's  care 
towards  the  unconscious  beings  that  slumbered  at  her  side. 

'  '  Thy  brother  hath  been  driven  by  the  heathen  to  the 
foot  of  the  palisadoes,  '  '  observed  the  other,  after  regarding 
his  companion  with  manly  kindness  for  a  moment,  '  '  and  he 
hath  lessened  his  force  by  many  that  are  wounded.  '  ' 

A  short  but  eloquent  pause  succeeded.  The  woman 
turned  her  tearful  eyes  upwards,  and  stretching  out  a  blood- 
less hand,  she  answered,  — 

"I  know  what  thou  wouldst  do  —  it  is  not  meet  that 
Sergeant  Ring  should  be  a  woman-tender,  when  the  Indian 
enemy  is  in  his  neighbor's  fields  !  Go  to  thy  duty,  and 
that  which  is  to  be  done,  do  manfully  !  and  yet  would  I  have 
thee  remember  how  many  there  are  who  lean  upon  thy  life 
for  a  father's  care." 

The  yeoman  first  cast  a  cautious  look  around  him,  for 
this  the  decent  and  stern  usages  of  the  Puritans  exacted, 
and  perceiving  that  the  girl  who  had  occasionally  entered  to 
tend  the  sick  was  not  present,  he  stooped,  and  impressing 
his  lips  on  the  cheek  of  his  wife,  he  threw  a  yearning  look 
at  his  offspring,  shouldered  his  musket,  and  descended  to 
the  court. 

When  Reuben  Ring  joined  the  party  of  Dudley,  the  latter 
had  just  issued  an  order  to  march  to  the  support  of  those  who 
still  stoutly  defended  the  southern  entry  of  the  village.  The 
labor  of  securing  necessaries  was  not  yet  ended,  and  it  was 
on  every  account  an  object  of  the  last  importance  to  make 
good  the  hamlet  against  the  enemy.  The  task,  however, 
was  not  as  difficult  as  the  force  of  the  Indians  might  at  first 
have  given  reasons  to  believe.  The  conflict,  by  this  time, 
had  extended  to  the  party  which  was  headed  by  Content, 
and,  in  consequence,  the  Indians  were  compelled  to  contend 
with  a  divided  force.  The  buildings  themselves,  with  the 
fences  and  out-houses,  were  so  many  breastworks,  and  it 
was  plain  that  the  assailants  acted  with  a  caution  and  concert 
that  betrayed  the  direction  of  some  mind  more  highly  gifted 
than  those  which  ordinarily  fall  to  the  lot  of  uncivilized  men. 

The  task  of  Dudley  was  not  so  difficult  as  before,  since 


Mept  of  Mteb^orVlKIitsb          295 

the  enemy  ceased  to  press  upon  his  march,  preferring  to 
watch  the  movements  of  those  who  held  the  fortified  house, 
of  whose  numbers  they  were  ignorant,  and  of  whose  attacks 
they  were  evidently  jealous.  As  soon  as  the  reinforcement 
reached  the  lieutenant  who  defended  the  village,  he  com- 
manded the  charge,  and  his  men  advanced  with  shouts  and 
clamor,  some  singing  spiritual  songs,  others  lifting  up  their 
voices  in  prayer,  while  a  few  availed  themselves  of  the  down- 
right and  perhaps  equally  effective  means  of  raising  sounds 
as  fearful  as  possible.  The  whole  being  backed  by  spirited 
and  well-directed  discharges  of  musketry,  the  effort  was 
successful.  In  a  few  minutes  the  enemy  fled,  leaving  that 
side  of  the  valley  momentarily  free  from  danger. 

Pursuit  would  have  been  folly.  After  posting  a  few 
lookouts  in  secret  and  safe  positions  among  the  houses,  the 
whole  party  returned,  with  an  intention  of  cutting  off  the 
enemy  who  still  held  the  meadows  near  the  garrison.  In 
this  design,  however,  their  intentions  were  frustrated.  The 
instant  they  were  pressed,  the  Indians  gave  way,  evidently 
for  the  purpose  of  gaining  the  protection  of  the  woods  ; 
and  when  the  whites  returned  to  their  works,  they  were 
followed  in  a  manner  to  show  that  they  could  make  no 
further  movement  without  the  hazard  of  a  serious  assault. 
In  this  condition,  the  men  in  and  about  the  fort  were 
compelled  to  be  inefficient  spectators  of  the  scene  that  was 
taking  place  around  the  "  Heathcote-house,"  as  the  dwel- 
ling of  old  Mark  was  commonly  called. 

The  fortified  building  had  been  erected  for  the  protection 
of  the  village  and  its  inhabitants,  an  object  that  its  position 
rendered  feasible  ;  but  it  could  offer  no  aid  to  those  who 
dwelt  without  the  range  of  the  musketry.  The  only  piece 
of  artillery  belonging  to  the  settlement  was  the  culverin 
which  had  been  discharged  by  the  Puritan,  and  which 
served  for  the  moment  to  check  the  advance  of  his  enemies. 
But  the  exclamations  of  the  stranger,  and  the  appeal  to  his 
men,  with  which  the  last  chapter  closed,  sufficiently  pro- 
claimed that  the  attack  was  diverted  from  the  house,  and 
that  work  of  a  bloody  character  now  offered  itself  to  those 
he  and  his  companion  led. 


296          Ube  Wept  of 


The  ground  around  the  dwelling  of  the  Heathcotes  ad- 
mitted of  closer  and  more  deadly  conflict  than  that  on  which 
the  other  portions  of  the  combat  had  occurred.  Time  had 
given  size  to  the  orchards,  and  wealth  had  multiplied  and 
rendered  more  secure  the  inclosures  and  out-buildings.  It 
was  in  one  of  the  former  that  the  hostile  parties  met,  and 
came  to  that  issue  which  the  warlike  stranger  had  foreseen. 

Content,  like  Dudley,  caused  his  men  to  separate,  and 
they  threw  in  their  fire  with  the  same  guarded  reservation 
that  had  been  practised  by  the  other  party.  Success  again 
attended  the  efforts  of  discipline  ;  the  whites  gradually  beat- 
ing back  their  enemies,  until  there  was  a  probability  of 
forcing  them  entirely  into  the  open  ground  in  their  rear, 
a  success  that  would  have  been  tantamount  to  a  victory. 
But  at  this  flattering  moment,  yells  were  heard  behind  the 
leaping  and  whooping  band  that  was  still  seen  gliding 
through  the  openings  of  the  smoke,  resembling  so  many 
dark  and  malignant  spectres  acting  their  evil  rites.  Then, 
as  a  chief  with  a  turbaned  head,  terrific  voice,  and  com- 
manding stature,  appeared  in  their  front,  the  whole  of  the 
wavering  line  received  an  onward  impulse.  The  yells  re- 
doubled ;  another  warrior  was  seen  brandishing  a  toma- 
hawk on  one  flank,  and  the  whole  of  the  deep  phalanx 
came  rushing  in  upon  the  whites,  threatening  to  sweep  them 
away,  as  the  outbreaking  torrent  carries  desolation  in  its 
course. 

"  Men,  to  your  square  !  "  shouted  the  stranger,  disregard- 
ing cover  and  life  together,  in  such  a  pressing  emergency  ; 
'  '  to  your  square,  Christians,  and  be  firm.  '  ' 

The  command  was  repeated  by  Content,  and  echoed  from 
mouth  to  mouth.  But  before  those  on  the  flanks  could 
reach  the  centre,  the  shock  had  come.  All  order  being  lost, 
the  combat  was  hand  to  hand,  one  party  fighting  fiercely 
for  victory,  and  the  other  knowing  that  they  stood  at  the 
awful  peril  of  their  lives.  After  the  first  discharge  of  the 
musket  and  the  twang  of  the  bow,  the  struggle  was  main- 
tained with  knife  and  axe  ;  the  thrust  of  the  former,  or  the 
descent  of  the  keen  and  glittering  tomahawk,  being  an- 
swered by  sweeping  and  crushing  blows  of  the  musket's  butt, 


Mept  of  TKHtsb^on^Mtsb          297 

or  by  throttling  grasps  of  hands  that  were  clenched  in  the 
death-gripe.  Men  fell  on  each  other  in  piles,  and  when  the 
conqueror  rose  to  shake  off  the  bodies  of  those  who  gasped 
at  his  feet,  his  frowning  eye  rested  alike  on  friend  and 
enem}'.  The  orchard  rang  with  yells  of  the  Indians,  but 
the  colonists  fought  in  mute  despair.  Sullen  resolution  only 
gave  way  with  life  ;  and  it  happened  more  than  once,  that  fear- 
ful day,  that  the  usual  reeking  token  of  an  Indian  triumph 
was  swung  before  the  stern  and  still  conscious  eyes  of  the 
mangled  victim  from  whose  head  it  had  been  torn. 

In  this  frightful  scene  of  slaughter  and  ferocity,  the 
principal  personages  of  our  legend  were  not  idle.  By  a  tacit 
but  intelligent  understanding,  the  stranger  with  Content 
and  his  son  placed  themselves  back  to  back,  and  struggled 
manfully  against  their  luckless  fortune.  The  former  showed 
himself  no  soldier  of  parade  ;  for,  knowing  the  uselessness 
of  orders  when  each  one  fought  for  life,  he  dealt  out  power- 
ful blows  in  silence.  His  example  was  nobly  emulated  by 
Content ;  and  young  Mark  moved  limb  and  muscle  with 
the  vigorous  activity  of  his  age.  A  first  onset  of  the  enemy 
was  repelled,  and  for  a  moment  there  was  a  faint  prospect  of 
escape.  At  the  suggestion  of  the  stranger,  the  three  moved 
in  their  order  towards  the  dwelling,  with  the  intention  of 
trusting  to  their  personal  activity  when  released  from  the 
throng.  But  at  this  luckless  instant,  when  hope  was  begin- 
ning to  assume  the  air  of  probability,  a  chief  came  stalking 
through  the  m£tee,  seeking  on  each  side  some  victim  of  his 
uplifted  axe.  A  crowd  of  the  inferior  herd  pressed  at  his 
heels,  and  a  first  glance  told  the  assailed  that  the  decisive 
moment  had  come. 

At  the  sight  of  so  many  of  their  hated  enemies  still  living 
and  capable  of  suffering,  a  common  and  triumphant  shout 
burst  from  the  lips  of  the  Indians.  Their  leader,  like  one 
superior  to  the  more  vulgar  emotions  of  his  followers,  alone 
approached  in  silence.  As  the  band  opened  and  divided  to 
encircle  the  victims,  chance  brought  him  face  to  face  with 
Mark.  Like  his  foe  the  Indian  warrior  was  still  in  the 
freshness  and  vigor  of  young  manhood.  In  stature,  years, 
and  agility,  the  antagonists  seemed  equal ;  and,  as  the  fol- 


298          Ube  Mept  of 


lowers  of  the  chief  threw  themselves  on  the  stranger  and 
Content,  like  men  who  knew  their  leader  needed  no  aid, 
there  was  every  appearance  of  a  fierce  and  doubtful  struggle. 
But,  while  neither  of  the  combatants  showed  any  desire  to 
avoid  the  contest,  neither  was  in  haste  to  give  the  commenc- 
ing blow.  A  painter,  or  rather  sculptor,  would  have  seized 
the  attitudes  of  these  young  combatants  for  a  rich  exhibi- 
tion of  the  power  of  his  art. 

Mark,  like  most  of  his  friends,  had  cast  aside  all  super- 
fluous vestments  ere  he  approached  the  scene  of  strife.  The 
upper  part  of  his  body  was  naked  to  the  shirt,  and  even  this 
had  been  torn  asunder  by  the  rude  encounters  through  which 
he  had  already  passed.  The  whole  of  his  full  and  heaving 
chest  was  bare,  exposing  the  white  skin  and  blue  veins  of 
one  whose  fathers  had  come  from  towards  the  rising  sun. 
His  swelling  form  rested  on  a  leg  that  seemed  planted  in 
defiance,  while  the  other  was  thrown  in  front  like  a  lever  to 
control  the  expected  movements.  His  arms  were  extended 
to  the  rear,  the  hands  grasping  the  barrel  of  a  musket  which 
threatened  death  to  all  who  should  come  within  its  sweep. 
The  head,  covered  with  the  short,  curling,  yellow  hair  of  his 
Saxon  lineage,  was  a  little  advanced  above  the  left  shoulder, 
and  seemed  placed  in  a  manner  to  preserve  the  equipoise  of 
the  whole  frame.  The  brow  was  flushed,  the  lips  com- 
pressed and  resolute,  the  veins  of  the  neck  and  temples 
swollen  nearly  to  bursting,  and  the  eyes  contracted,  but  of 
a  gaze  that  bespoke  equally  the  feelings  of  desperate  de- 
termination and  of  entranced  surprise. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Indian  warrior  was  a  man  still 
more  likely  to  be  remarked.  The  habits  of  his  people  had 
brought  him,  as  usual,  into  the  field  with  naked  limbs  and 
nearly  uncovered  body.  The  position  of  his  frame  was  that 
of  one  prepared  to  leap  ;  and  it  would  have  been  a  compari- 
son tolerated  by  the  license  of  poetry  to  have  likened  his 
straight  and  agile  form  to  the  semblance  of  a  crouching 
panther.  The  projecting  leg  sustained  the  body,  bending 
under  its  load  more  with  the  free  play  of  muscle  and  sinew 
than  from  any  weight,  while  the  slightly  stooping  head  was 
a  little  advanced  beyond  the  perpendicular.  One  hand  was 


Wept  of  Wisb^on^Misb          299 

clenched  on  the  helve  of  an  axe  that  lay  in  a  line  with  the 
right  thigh,  while  the  other  was  placed  with  a  firm  gripe  on 
the  buck-horn  handle  of  a  knife  that  was  still  sheathed  at 
his  girdle.  The  expression  of  the  face  was  earnest,  severe, 
and  perhaps  a  little  fierce,  and  yet  the  whole  was  tempered 
by  the  immovable  and  dignified  calm  of  a  chief  of  high 
qualities.  The  eye,  however,  was  gazing  and  riveted ;  and, 
like  that  of  the  youth  whose  life  he  threatened,  it  appeared 
singularly  contracted  with  wonder. 

The  momentary  pause  that  succeeded  the  movement  by 
which  the  two  antagonists  threw  themselves  into  these  fine 
attitudes  was  full  of  meaning.  Neither  spoke,  neither  per- 
mitted play  of  muscle,  neither  even  seemed  to  breathe.  The 
delay  was  not  like  that  of  preparation,  for  each  stood  ready 
for  his  deadly  effort,  nor  would  it  have  been  possible  to  trace 
in  the  compressed  energy  of  the  countenance  of  Mark,  or  in 
the  lofty  and  more  practised  bearing  of  the  front  and  eye  of 
the  Indian,  anything  like  wavering  of  purpose.  An  emo- 
tion foreign  to  the  scene  appeared  to  possess  them  both,  each 
active  frame  unconsciously  accommodating  itself  to  the 
bloody  business  of  the  hour,  while  the  inscrutable  agency  of 
the  mind  held  them  for  a  brief  interval  in  check. 

A  yell  of  death  from  the  mouth  of  a  savage  who  was 
beaten  to  the  very  feet  of  his  chief  by  a  blow  of  the  stranger, 
and  an  encouraging  shout  from  the  lips  of  the  latter,  broke 
the  short  trance.  The  knees  of  the  chief  bent  still  lower, 
the  head  of  the  tomahawk  was  a  little  raised,  the  blade  of 
the  knife  was  seen  glittering  from  its  sheath,  and  the  butt 
of  Mark's  musket  had  receded  to  the  utmost  tension  of  his 
sinews,  when  a  shriek  and  a  yell,  different  from  any  before 
heard  that  day,  sounded  near.  At  the  same  moment,  the 
blows  of  both  the  combatants  were  suspended,  though  by 
the  agency  of  very  different  degrees  of  force.  Mark  felt  the 
arms  of  one  cast  around  his  limbs  with  a  power  sufficient  to 
embarrass,  though  not  to  subdue  him,  while  the  well-known 
voice  of  Whittal  Ring  sounded  in  his  ears  :  — 

' '  Murder  the  lying  and  hungry  pale-faces  !  They  leave 
us  no  food  but  air — no  drink  but  water  ! ' ' 

On  the  other  hand,  when  the  chief  turned  in  anger  to 


300          Ube  Mept  of 


strike  the  daring  one  who  presumed  to  arrest  his  arm,  he 
saw  at  his  feet  the  kneeling  figure,  the  uplifted  hands,  and 
agonized  features  of  Martha.  Averting  the  blow  that 
a  follower  already  aimed  at  the  life  of  the  suppliant,  he 
spoke  rapidly  in  his  own  language,  and  pointed  to  the 
struggling  Mark.  The  nearest  Indians  cast  themselves  on 
the  already  half-captured  youth.  A  whoop  brought  a  hun- 
dred more  to  the  spot,  and  then  a  calm  as  sudden,  and  al- 
most as  fearful,  as  the  previous  tumult  prevailed  in  the 
orchard.  It  was  succeeded  by  the  long-drawn,  frightful, 
and  yet  meaning  yell  by  which  the  American  warrior  pro- 
claims his  victory. 

With  the  end  of  the  tumult  in  the  orchard,  the  sounds 
of  strife  ceased  in  all  the  valley.  Though  conscious  of  the 
success  of  their  enemies,  the  men  in  the  fort  saw  the  cer- 
tainty of  destruction,  not  only  to  themselves,  but  to  those 
feeble  ones  whom  they  should  be  compelled  to  leave  without 
a  sufficient  defence,  were  they  to  attempt  a  sortie  to  that 
distance  from  their  works.  They  were,  therefore,  compelled 
to  remain  passive  and  grave  spectators  of  an  evil  they  had 
not  the  means  to  avert. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

"Were  such  things  here,  as  we  do  speak  about? 
Or  have  we  eaten  of  the  insane  root 
That  takes  the  reason  prisoner?  " 

Macbeth. 

AN  hour  later  presented  a  different  scene.     Bands  of 
the  enemy,  that  in  civilized  warfare  would  be 
called  parties  of  observation,  lingered  in  the  skirts 
of  the  forest  nearest  to  the  village ;  and  the  set- 
tlers still  stood  to  their  arms,  posted  among  the  buildings, 
or  maintaining  their  array   at  the  foot   of  the  palisadoes. 
Though  the  toil  of  securing  the  valuables  continued,  it  was 
evident  that,  as  the  first  terrors  of  alarm  had  disappeared, 
the  owners  of  the  hamlet  began  to  regain  some  assurance  in 
their  ability  to  make  it  good  against  their  enemies.     Even 
the  women  were  now  seen  moving  through  its  grassy  street 
with  greater  seeming  confidence,  and  there  was  a  regularity 
in  the  air  of  the  armed  men,  which  denoted  a  determination 
that  was  calculated  to  impose  on  their  wild  and  undisciplined 
assailants. 

But  the  dwelling,  the  out-buildings,  and  all  the  imple- 
ments of  domestic  comfort,  which  had  so  lately  contributed 
to  the  ease  of  the  Heathcotes,  were  completely  in  posses- 
sion of  the  Indians.  The  open  shutters  and  doors,  the 
scattered  and  half-destroyed  furniture,  the  air  of  devastation 
and  waste,  and  the  general  abandonment  of  all  interest  in 
the  protection  of  property,  proclaimed  the  licentious  dis- 
order of  a  successful  assault.  Still  the  work  of  destruction 
and  plunder  did  not  go  on.  Although  here  and  there 
might  be  seen  some  warrior,  decorated,  according  to  the 

301 


302  Ube  Mept  of 


humors  of  his  savage  taste,  with  the  personal  effects  of  the 
former  inmates  of  the  building,  every  hand  had  been 
checked,  and  the  furious  tempers  of  the  conquerors  had 
been  quieted,  seemingly  by  the  agency  of  some  unseen  and 
extraordinary  authority.  The  men,  who  so  lately  had  been 
moved  by  the  fiercest  passions  of  our  nature,  were  suddenly 
restrained,  if  not  appeased  ;  and,  instead  of  that  exulting 
indulgence  of  vengeance  which  commonly  accompanies  an 
Indian  triumph,  the  warriors  stalked  about  the  buildings 
and  through  the  adjacent  grounds,  in  a  silence  which, 
though  gloomy  and  sullen,  was  marked  by  their  character- 
istic submission  to  events. 

The  principal  leaders  of  the  inroad,  and  all  the  surviv- 
ing sufferers  by  the  defeat,  were  assembled  in  the  piazza. 
of  the  dwelling.  Ruth,  pale,  sorrowing,  and  mourning  for 
others  rather  than  for  herself,  stood  a  little  apart,  attended 
b}^  Martha  and  the  young  assistant  whose  luckless  fortune 
it  was  to  be  found  at  her  post  on  this  eventful  day.  Con- 
tent, the  stranger,  and  Mark  were  near,  subdued  and 
bound,  the  sole  survivors  of  all  that  band  they  had  so  re- 
cently led  into  the  conflict.  The  gray  hairs  and  bodily  in- 
firmities of  the  Puritan  spared  him  the  same  degradation. 
The  only  other  being  present,  of  European  origin,  was 
Whittal  Ring.  The  innocent  stalked  slowly  among  the 
prisoners,  sometimes  permitting  ancient  recollections  and 
sympathies  to  come  over  his  dull  intellect,  but  oftener 
taunting  the  unfortunate  with  the  injustice  of  their  race,  and 
with  the  wrongs  of  his  adopted  people. 

The  chiefs  of  the  successful  party  stood  in  the  centre, 
apparently  engaged  in  some  grave  deliberation.  As  they 
were  few  in  number,  it  was  evident  that  the  council  only 
included  men  of  the  highest  importance.  Chiefs  of  inferior 
rank,  but  of  great  names  in  the  limited  renown  of  those 
simple  tribes,  conversed  in  knots  among  the  trees,  or  paced 
the  court  at  a  respectful  distance  from  the  consultation  of 
their  superiors. 

The  least  practised  eye  could  not  mistake  the  person  of 
him  on  whom  the  greatest  weight  of  authority  had  fallen. 
The  turbaned  warrior,  already  introduced  in  these  pages, 


Kftept  of  WiiBb^on^MiQb          303 

occupied  the  centre  of  the  group,  in  the  calm  and  dignified 
attitude  of  an  Indian  who  hearkens  to  or  who  utters  advice. 
His  musket  was  borne  by  one  who  stood  in  waiting,  while 
the  knife  and  axe  were  returned  to  his  girdle.  He  had 
thrown  a  light  blanket,  or  it  might  be  better  termed  a  robe 
of  scarlet  cloth,  over  his  left  shoulder,  whence  it  gracefully 
fell  in  folds,  leaving  the  whole  of  the  right  arm  free,  and 
most  of  his  ample  chest  exposed  to  view.  From  beneath 
this  mantle,  blood  fell  slowly  in  drops,  dyeing  the  floor  on 
which  he  stood.  The  countenance  of  this  warrior  was 
grave,  though  there  was  a  quickness  in  the  movements  of 
an  ever-restless  eye  that  denoted  great  mental  activity,  no 
less  than  the  disquiet  of  suspicion.  One  skilled  in  physiog- 
nomy might  too  have  thought  that  a  shade  of  suppressed 
discontent  was  struggling  with  the  self-command  of  habits 
that  had  become  part  of  the  nature  of  the  individual. 

The  two  companions  nearest  this  chief  were,  like  himself, 
men  past  the  middle  age,  and  of  mien  and  expression  that 
were  similar,  though  less  strikingly  marked  ;  neither  show- 
ing those  signs  of  displeasure  which  occasionally  shot  from 
organs  that,  in  spite  of  a  mind  so  trained  and  so  despotic, 
could  not  always  restrain  their  glittering  brightness.  One 
was  speaking,  and  by  his  glance  it  was  evident  that  the  sub- 
ject of  his  discourse  was  the  fourth  and  last  of  their  num- 
ber, who  had  placed  himself  in  a  position  that  prevented 
his  being  an  auditor  of  what  was  said. 

In  the  person  of  the  latter  chief,  the  reader  will  recognize 
the  youth  who  had  confronted  Mark,  and  whose  rapid  move- 
ment on  the  flank  of  Dudley  had  first  driven  the  colonists 
from  the  meadows.  The  eloquent  expression  of  limb,  the 
tension  of  sinews,  and  the  compression  of  muscles,  as  last 
exhibited,  were  now  gone.  They  had  given  place  to  the 
peculiar  repose  that  distinguishes  the  Indian  warrior  in  his 
moments  of  inaction,  quite  as  much  as  it  marks  the  man- 
ner of  one  schooled  in  the  forms  of  more  polished  life.  With 
one  hand  he  leaned  lightly  on  a  musket,  while  from  the 
wrist  of  the  other,  which  hung  loose  at  his  side,  depended, 
by  a  thong  of  deer's  sinew,  a  .tomahawk  from  which  fell 
drops  of  human  blood.  His  person  bore  no  other  covering 


304          tXbe  Mept  of 


than  that  in  which  he  had  fought,  and,  unlike  his  more  aged 
companion  in  authority,  his  body  had  escaped  without  a 
wound. 

In  form  and  in  features,  this  young  warrior  might  be 
deemed  a  model  of  the  excellence  of  Indian  manhood.  The 
limbs  were  full,  round,  faultlessly  straight,  and  distinguished 
by  an  appearance  of  extreme  activity,  without  being  equally 
remarkable  for  muscle.  In  the  latter  particular,  in  the  up- 
right attitude,  and  in  the  distant  and  noble  gaze  which  so 
often  elevated  his  front,  there  was  a  close  affinity  to  the 
statue  of  the  Pythian  Apollo;  while  in  the  full  though 
slightly  effeminate  chest,  there  was  an  equal  resemblance  to 
that  look  of  animal  indulgence  which  is  to  be  traced  in  the 
severe  representations  of  Bacchus.  This  resemblance,  how- 
ever, to  a  deity  that  is  little  apt  to  awaken  lofty  sentiments 
in  the  spectator,  was  not  displeasing,  since  it  in  some  meas- 
ure relieved  the  sternness  of  an  eye  that  penetrated  like  the 
glance  of  an  eagle,  and  that  might  otherwise  have  left  an 
impression  of  too  little  sympathy  with  the  familiar  weak- 
nesses of  humanity.  Still  the  young  chief  was  less  to  be 
remarked  by  this  peculiar  fulness  of  chest,  the  fruit  of  inter- 
vals of  inaction,  constant  indulgence  of  the  first  wants  of 
nature,  and  a  total  exemption  from  toil,  than  most  of  those 
who  either  counselled  in  secret  near,  or  paced  the  grounds 
about  the  building.  In  him,  it  was  rather  a  point  to  be 
admired  than  a  blemish  ;  for  it  seemed  to  say,  that  notwith- 
standing the  evidences  of  austerity  which  custom,  and  per- 
haps character,  as  well  as  rank,  had  gathered  in  his  air, 
there  was  a  heart  beneath  that  might  be  touched  by  the 
charities  of  humanity.  On  the  present  occasion,  the  glances 
of  his  roving  eye,  though  searching  and  full  of  meaning, 
were  evidently  weakened  by  an  expression  that  betrayed  a 
strange  and  unwonted  confusion  of  mind. 

The  conference  of  the  three  was  ended,  and  the  warrior 
with  a  turbaned  head  advanced  towards  his  captives,  with 
the  step  of  a  man  whose  mind  had  come  to  a  decision.  As 
the  dreaded  chief  drew  near,  Whittal  retired,  stealing  to  the 
side  of  the  younger  warrior,  in  a  manner  that  denoted  greater 
familiarity,  and  perhaps  greater  confidence.  A  sudden 


ZTbe  KHepr  of  Wis[>fton*Wfsb          305 

thought  lighted  the  countenance  of  the  latter.  He  led  the 
innocent  to  the  extremity  of  the  piazza.,  spoke  low  and  ear- 
nestly, pointing  to  the  forest,  and  when  he  saw  that  his 
messenger  was  already  crossing  the  fields  at  the  top  of  his 
speed,  he  moved  with  a  calm  dignity  into  the  centre  of  the 
group,  taking  his  station  so  near  his  friend  that  the  folds  of 
the  scarlet  blanket  brushed  his  elbow.  Until  this  movement 
the  silence  was  not  broken.  When  the  great  chief  felt  the 
passage  of  the  other  he  glanced  a  look  of  hesitation  at  his 
friends,  but  resuming  his  former  air  of  composure,  he 
spoke : — 

' '  Man  of  many  winters, ' '  he  commenced,  in  an  English 
that  was  quite  intelligible,  while  it  betrayed  a  difficulty  of 
speech  we  shall  not  attempt  imitating,  *  *  why  hath  the  Great 
Spirit  made  thy  race  like  hungry  wolves  ?  why  hath  a  pale- 
face the  stomach  of  a  buzzard,  the  throat  of  a  hound,  and 
the  heart  of  a  deer  ?  Thou  hast  seen  many  meltings  of  the 
snow  :  thou  rememberest  the  young  tree  a  sapling.  Tel] 
me,  why  is  the  mind  of  a  Yengeese  so  big,  that  it  must  hold 
all  that  lies  between  the  rising  and  the  setting  sun  ?  Speak, 
for  we  would  know  the  reason  why  arms  so  long  are  found  on 
so  little  bodies?  " 

The  events  of  that  day  had  been  of  a  nature  to  awaken  all 
the  latent  energies  of  the  Puritan.  He  had  lifted  up  his 
spirit,  with  the  morning,  in  the  customary  warmth  with 
which  he  ever  hailed  the  Sabbath ;  the  excitement  of  the 
assault  had  found  him  sustained  above  most  earthly  calam- 
ities, and  while  it  quickened  feelings  that  can  never  become 
extinct  in  one  who  has  been  familiar  with  martial  usages,  it 
left  him,  stern  in  his  manhood,  and  exalted  in  his  sentiments 
of  submission  and  endurance.  Under  such  influences,  he 
answered  with  an  austerity  that  equalled  the  gravity  of  the 
Indian. 

"  The  I/>rd  hath  delivered  us  into  the  bonds  of  the  hea- 
then," he  said,  "and  yet  his  name  shall  be  blessed  beneath 
my  roof !  Out  of  evil  shall  come  good  ;  and  from  this  tri- 
umph of  the  ignorant  shall  proceed  an  everlasting  victory  ! ' ' 

The  chief  gazed  intently  at  tlje  speaker,  whose  attenuated 
frame,  venerable  face,  and  long  locks,  aided  by  the  hectic  of 


306          Ube  Mept  of 


enthusiasm  that  played  beneath  a  glazed  and  deep-set  eye, 
imparted  a  character  that  seemed  to  rise  superior  to  human 
weakness.  Bending  his  head  in  superstitious  reverence,  he 
turned  gravely  to  those  who,  appearing  to  possess  more  of 
the  world  in  their  natures,  were  more  fitting  subjects  for  the 
designs  he  meditated. 

'  '  The  mind  of  my  father  is  strong,  but  his  body  is  like  a 
branch  of  the  scorched  hemlock  !  '  '  was  the  pithy  declaration 
with  which  he  prefaced  his  next  remark.  '  *  Why  is  this  ?  '  ' 
he  continued,  looking  severely  at  the  three  who  had  so  lately 
been  opposed  to  him  in  deadly  contest.  '  '  Here  are  men  with 
skins  like  the  blossom  of  the  dog-  wood,  and  yet  their  hands 
are  so  dark  that  I  cannot  see  them  !  '  ' 

'  *  They  have  been  blackened  by  toil  beneath  a  burning  sun,  '  ' 
returned  Content,  who  knew  how  to  discourse  in  the  figura- 
tive language  of  the  people  in  whose  power  he  found  himself. 
"We  have  labored,  that  our  women  and  children  might  eat." 

'  *  No  !  the  blood  of  redmen  hath  changed  their  color.  '  ' 

1  '  We  have  taken  up  the  hatchet,  that  the  land  which  the 
Great  Spirit  hath  given  might  still  be  ours,  and  that  our 
scalps  might  not  be  blown  about  in  the  smoke  of  a  wigwam. 
Would  a  Narragansett  hide  his  arms,  and  tie  up  his  hands, 
with  the  war-whoop  ringing  in  his  ears  ?  '  ' 

When  allusion  was  made  to  the  ownership  of  the  valley, 
the  blood  rushed  into  the  cheek  of  the  warrior  in  such  a  flood 
that  it  deepened  even  the  natural  swarthy  hue  ;  but  clench- 
ing the  handle  of  his  axe  convulsively  ,  he  continued  to  listen, 
like  one  accustomed  to  entire  self-command. 

"What  a  redman  does  may  be  seen,"  he  answered,  point' 
ing  with  a  grim  smile  towards  the  orchard  ;  exposing,  by 
the  movement  of  the  blanket,  as  he  raised  his  arm,  two  of 
the  reeking  trophies  of  victory  attached  to  his  belt.  "  Our 
ears  are  open  very  wide.  We  listen,  to  hear  in  what  manner 
the  hunting-grounds  of  the  Indian  have  become  the  ploughed 
fields  of  the  Yengeese.  Now  let  my  wise  men  hearken,  that 
they  may  grow  more  cunning,  as  the  snows  settle  on  their 
heads.  The  pale-men  have  a  secret  to  make  the  black  seem 
white!" 

"Narragansett—" 


Mept  of  Mteb^on^Misb          307 

'  *  Wampanoag  !  ' '  interrupted  the  chief,  with  the  lofty  air 
with  which  an  Indian  identifies  himself  with  the  glory  of  his 
people  ;  then  glancing  a  milder  look  at  the  young  warrior  at 
his  elbow,  he  added,  hastily,  and  in  the  tone  of  a  courtier, 
"'tis  very  good — Narragansett  or  Wampanoag — Wampa- 
noag or  Narragansett.  The  redmen  are  brothers  and  friends. 
They  have  broken  down  the  fences  between  their  hunting- 
grounds,  and  they  have  cleared  the  paths  between  their 
villages  of  briers.  What  have  you  to  say  to  the  Narragan- 
sett ? — he  has  not  yet  shut  his  ear. ' ' 

"Wampanoag,  if  such  be  thy  tribe,"  resumed  Content, 
'  *  thou  shalt  hear  that  which  my  conscience  teacheth  is  lan- 
guage to  be  uttered.  The  God  of  an  Englishman  is  the 
God  of  men  of  all  ranks,  and  of  all  time."  His  listeners 
shook  their  heads  doubtingty,  with  the  exception  of  the 
youngest  chief,  whose  eye  never  varied  its  direction  while 
the  other  spoke,  each  word  appearing  to  enter  deep  within 
the  recesses  of  his  mind.  "In  defiance  of  these  signs  of 
blasphemy,  do  I  still  proclaim  the  power  of  Him  I  wor- 
ship !  "  Content  continued.  ' '  My  God  is  thy  God  ;  and  He 
now  looketh  equally  on  the  deeds,  and  searcheth,  with  in- 
scrutable knowledge,  into  the  hearts  of  both.  This  earth  is 
his  footstool ;  yonder  heaven  his  throne  !  I  pretend  not  to 
enter  into  his  sacred  mysteries,  or  to  proclaim  the  reason 
why  one  half  of  his  fair  work  hath  been  so  long  left  in  that 
slough  of  ignorance  and  heathenish  abomination  in  which 
my  fathers  found  it ;  why  these  hills  never  before  echoed  the 
songs  of  praise,  or  why  the  valleys  have  been  so  long  mute. 
These  are  truths  hid  in  the  secret  designs  of  his  sacred  pur- 
pose, and  they  may  not  be  known  until  the  last  fulfilment. 
But  a  great  and  righteous  spirit  hath  led  hither  men  filled 
with  the  love  of  truth  and  pregnant  with  the  designs  of  a 
heavily  burdened  faith,  inasmuch  as  their  longings  are  for 
things  pure,  while  the  consciousness  of  their  transgressions 
bends  them  in  deep  humility  to  the  dust.  Thou  bringest 
against  us  the  charge  of  coveting  thy  lands,  and  of  bearing 
minds  filled  with  the  corruption  of  riches.  This  cometh  of 
ignorance  of  that  which  hath  been  abandoned,  in  order  that 
the  spirit  of  the  godly  might  hold'fast  to  the  truth.  When  the 


TTbe  Wept  of 


Yengeese  came  into  this  wilderness,  he  left  behind  him  all 
that  can  delight  the  eye,  please  the  senses,  and  feed  the 
longings  of  the  human  heart,  in  the  country  of  his  fathers  ; 
for  fair  as  is  the  work  of  the  L,ord  in  other  lands,  there  is  none 
that  is  so  excellent  as  that  from  which  these  pilgrims  in  the 
wilderness  have  departed.  In  that  favored  isle,  the  earth 
groaneth  with  the  abundance  of  its  products  ;  the  odors  of 
its  sweet  savors  salute  the  nostrils,  and  the  eye  is  never 
wearied  in  gazing  at  its  loveliness.  No  ;  the  men  of  the 
pale-faces  have  deserted  home,  and  all  that  sweeteneth  life, 
that  they  might  serve  God  ;  and  not  at  the  instigations  of 
craving  minds  or  of  evil  vanities  !  '  ' 

Content  paused  —  for  as  he  grew  warm  with  the  spirit  by 
which  he  was  animated,  he  had  insensibly  strayed  from  the 
closer  points  of  his  subject.  His  conquerors  maintained  the 
decorous  gravity  with  which  an  Indian  always  listens  to 
the  speech  of  another,  until  he  had  ended,  and  then  the 
Great  Chief,  or  Wampanoag,  as  he  had  proclaimed  himself 
to  be,  laid  a  finger  lightly  on  the  shoulder  of  his  prisoner, 
as  he  demanded,  — 

1  '  Why  have  the  people  of  the  Yengeese  lost  themselves 
on  a  blind  path  ?  If  the  country  they  have  left  is  pleasant, 
cannot  their  God  hear  them  from  the  wigwams  of  their 
fathers?  See  —  if  our  trees  are  but  bushes,  leave  them  to 
the  redman  ;  he  will  find  room  beneath  their  branches  to  lie 
in  the  shade.  If  our  rivers  are  small,  it  is  because  the 
Indians  are  little.  If  the  hills  are  low  and  the  valleys  nar- 
row, the  legs  of  my  people  are  weary  with  much  hunting, 
and  they  will  journey  among  them  the  easier.'  Now  what 
the  Great  Spirit  hath  made  for  a  redman,  a  redman  should 
keep.  They  whose  skins  are  like  the  light  of  the  morning 
should  go  back  towards  the  rising  sun,  out  of  which  they 
have  come  to  do  us  wrong.  '  ' 

The  chief  spoke  calmly  ;  but  it  was  like  a  man  much 
accustomed  to  deal  in  the  subtleties  of  controversy,  accord- 
ing to  the  fashion  of  the  people  to  whom  he  belonged. 

'  '  God  hath  otherwise  decreed,  '  '  said  Content.  '  '  He  hath 
led  his  servants  hither,  that  the  incense  of  praise  may 
arise  from  the  wilderness." 


tTbe  Wept  of  Misb*Uon*7KHteb          309 

* '  Your  Spirit  is  a  wicked  Spirit.  Your  ears  have  been 
cheated.  The  counsel  that  told  your  young  men  to  come  so 
far  was  not  spoken  in  the  voice  of  the  Manitou.  It  came 
from  the  tongue  of  one  that  loves  to  see  game  scarce  and 
the  squaws  hungry.  Go — you  follow  the  mocker,  or  your 
hands  would  not  be  so  dark." 

"  I  know  not  what  injury  may  have  been  done  the  Watn- 
panoags,  by  men  of  wicked  minds ;  for  some  such  there  are, 
even  in  the  dwellings  of  the  well-disposed — but  wrong  to 
any  hath  never  come  from  those  that  dwell  within  my 
doors.  For  these  lands  a  price  hath  been  paid,  and  what  is 
now  seen  of  abundance  in  the  valley,  hath  been  wrought  by 
much  labor.  Thou  art  a  Wampanoag,  and  dost  know  that 
the  hunting-grounds  of  thy  tribe  have  been  held  sacred  by 
my  people.  Are  not  the  fences  standing  which  their  hands 
placed,  that  not  even  the  hoof  of  colt  should  trample  the 
corn  ?  and  when  was  it  known  that  the  Indian  came  for  jus- 
tice against  the  trespassing  ox,  and  did  not  find  it  ?  " 

' '  The  moose  doth  not  taste  the  grass  at  the  root — he 
liveth  on  the  tree  !  He  doth  not  stoop  to  feed  on  that  which 
he  treadeth  under  foot !  Does  the  hawk  look  for  the 
mosquito  ?  His  eye  is  too  big.  He  can  see  a  bird.  Go — 
when  the  deer  have  been  killed,  the  Wampanoags  will  break 
down  the  fence  with  their  own  hands.  The  arm  of  a  hun- 
gry man  is  strong.  A  cunning  pale-face  hath  made  that 
fence  ;  it  shutteth  out  the  colt,  and  it  shutteth  in  the  Indian. 
But  the  mind  of  a  warrior  is  too  big  ;  it  will  not  be  kept  at 
grass  with  the  ox." 

A  low  but  expressive  murmur  of  satisfaction  from  the 
mouths  of  his  grim  companions  succeeded  this  reply  of 
the  chief. 

"The  country  of  thy  tribe  is  far  distant,"  returned  Con- 
tent, "  and  I  will  not  lay  untruth  to  my  soul,  by  presuming 
to  say  whether  justice  or  injustice  hath  been  done  them  in 
the  partition  of  the  lands.  But  in  this  valley  hath  wrong 
never  been  done  to  the  redman.  What  Indian  hath  asked 
for  food,  and  not  got  it  ?  If  he  hath  been  a-thirst,  cider 
came  at  his  wish  ;  if  he  hath  ]?een  a-cold,  there  was  a  seat 
by  the  hearth  ;  and  yet  hath  there  been  reason  why  the 


Mept  of 


hatchet  should  be  in  my  hand,  and  why  my  foot  should  be 
on  the  war-path  !  For  many  seasons  we  lived  on  lands 
which  were  bought  of  both  red  and  white  man,  in  peace. 
But  though  the  sun  shone  clear  so  long,  the  clouds  came  at 
last.  There  was  a  dark  night  fell  upon  this  valley,  Wam- 
panoag,  and  death  and  the  brand  entered  my  dwelling 
together.  Our  young  men  were  killed,  and  —  our  spirits 
were  sorely  tried.  '  ' 

Content  paused,  for  his  voice  became  thick,  and  his  eye 
had  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  pale  and  drooping  countenance 
of  her  who  leaned  on  the  arm  of  the  still  excited  and  frown- 
ing Mark  for  support.  The  young  chief  listened  with  a 
charmed  ear.  As  Content  had  proceeded,  his  body  was 
inclined  a  little  forward,  and  his  whole  attitude  was  that 
which  men  unconsciously  assume  when  intensely  occupied 
in  listening  to  sounds  of  the  deepest  interest. 

"  But  the  sun  rose  again  !  "  said  the  great  chief,  pointing 
at  the  evidences  of  prosperity  which  were  everywhere 
apparent  in  the  settlement,  casting  at  the  same  time  an 
uneasy  and  suspicious  glance  at  his  youngest  companion. 
"The  morning  was  clear,  though  the  night  was  so  dark. 
The  cunning  of  a  pale-face  knows  how  to  make  corn  grow 
on  a  rock.  The  foolish  Indian  eats  roots,  when  crops  fail 
and  grain  is  scarce." 

"  God  ceased  to  be  angry,"  returned  Content,  meekly, 
folding  his  arms  in  a  manner  to  show  he  wished  to  speak 
no  more. 

The  great  chief  was  about  to  continue,  when  his  younger 
associate  laid  a  finger  on  his  naked  shoulder,  and  by  a  sign 
indicated  that  he  wished  to  hold  communication  with  him 
apart.  The  former  met  the  request  with  respect,  though  it 
might  be  discovered  that  he  little  liked  the  expression  of 
his  companion's  features,  and  that  he  yielded  with  reluc- 
tance, if  not  with  disgust.  But  the  countenance  of  the  youth 
was  firm,  and  it  would  have  needed  more  than  usual  hardi- 
hood to  refuse  a  request  seconded  by  so  steady  and  so 
meaning  an  eye.  The  elder  spoke  to  the  warrior  nearest 
his  elbow,  addressing  him  by  the  name  of  Annawon,  and 
then,  by  a  gesture  so  natural  and  so  dignified  that  it  might 


Ube  Wept  ot  Wteb*fton*Misb          311 

have  graced  the  air  of  a  courtier,  he  announced  his  readi- 
ness to  proceed.  Notwithstanding  the  habitual  reverence 
of  the  aborigines  for  age,  the  others  gave  way  for  the  pas- 
sage of  the  young  man,  in  a  manner  to  proclaim  that  merit 
or  birth,  or  both,  had  united  to  purchase  for  him  a  personal 
distinction  which  far  exceeded  that  shown  in  common  to 
men  of  his  years.  The  two  chiefs  left  the  piazza  in  the 
noiseless  manner  of  the  moccasined  foot. 

The  passage  of  these  dignified  warriors  towards  the 
grounds  in  the  rear  of  the  dwelling,  as  it  was  characteristic 
of  their  habits,  is  worthy  of  being  mentioned.  Neither 
spoke,  neither  manifested  any  womanish  impatience  to  pry 
into  the  musings  of  the  other's  mind,  and  neither  failed  in 
those  slight  but  still  sensible  courtesies  by  which  the  path 
was  rendered  commodious  and  the  footing  sure.  They  had 
reached  the  summit  of  the  elevation  so  often  named,  ere 
they  believed  themselves  sufficiently  retired  to  indulge  in  a 
discourse  which  might  otherwise  have  enlightened  profane 
ears.  When  beneath  the  shade  of  the  fragrant  orchard 
which  grew  on  the  hill,  the  senior  of  the  two  stopped,  and 
throwing  about  him  one  of  those  quick,  nearly  impercepti- 
ble, and  yet  wary  glances  by  which  an  Indian  understands 
his  precise  position,  as  it  were  by  instinct,  he  commenced 
the  dialogue.  The  discourse  was  in  the  dialect  of  their 
race ;  but  as  it  is  not  probable  that  many  who  read  these 
pages  would  be  much  enlightened  were  we  to  record  it  in 
the  precise  words  in  which  it  has  been  transmitted  to  us,  a 
translation  into  Knglish  as  freely  as  the  subject  requires, 
and  the  geniuses  of  the  two  languages  will  admit,  shall  be 
attempted. 

' '  What  would  my  brother  have  ?  ' '  commenced  he  with 
the  turbaned  head,  uttering  the  guttural  sounds  in  the  low, 
soothing  tones  of  friendship,  and  even  of  affection.  "  What 
troubles  the  Great  Sachem  of  the  Narragansetts  ?  •  His 
thoughts  seem  uneasy.  I  think  there  is  more  before  his 
eye  than  one  whose  sight  is  getting  dim  can  see.  Doth  he 
behold  the  spirit  of  the  brave  Miantonimoh,  who  died  like 
a  dog,  beneath  the  blows  of  cowardly  Pequots  and  false- 
tongued  Yengeese?  Or  does  his  heart  swell  with  longing 


312          Ube  Mept  of 


to  see  the  scalps  of  treacherous  pale-faces  hanging  at  his 
belt  ?  Speak,  my  son  ;  the  hatchet  hath  long  been  buried 
in  the  path  between  our  villages,  and  thy  words  will  enter 
the  ears  of  a  friend." 

"  I  do  not  see  the  spirit  of  my  father,"  returned  the 
young  sachem  ;  *  '  he  is  afar  off  in  the  hunting-grounds  of 
just  warriors.  My  eyes  are  too  weak  to  look  over  so  many 
mountains  and  across  so  many  rivers.  He  is  chasing  the 
moose  in  grounds  where  there  are  no  briers  ;  he  needeth 
not  the  sight  of  a  young  man  to  tell  him  which  way  the 
trail  leadeth.  Why  should  I  look  at  the  place  where  the 
Pequot  and  the  pale-face  took  his  life?  The  fire  which 
scorched  this  hill  hath  blackened  the  spot,  and  I  can  no 
longer  find  the  marks  of  blood." 

"  My  son  is  very  wise  —  cunning  beyond  his  winters  ! 
That  which  hath  been  once  revenged  is  forgotten.  He 
looks  no  further  than  six  moons.  He  sees  the  warriors  of 
the  Yengeese  coming  into  his  village,  murdering  his  old 
women,  and  slaying  the  Narragansett  girls  ;  killing  his 
warriors  from  behind,  and  lighting  their  fires  with  the  bones 
of  redmen.  I  will  now  stop  my  ears,  for  the  groans  of 
the  slaughtered  make  my  soul  feel  weak.  '  ' 

"  Wampanoag,"  answered  the  other,  with  a  fierce  flashing 
of  his  eagle  eye,  and  laying  his  hand  firmly  on  his  breast, 
'  '  the  night  the  snows  were  red  with  the  blood  of  my  people 
is  here  !  my  mind  is  dark  ;  none  of  my  race  have  since 
looked  upon  the  place  where  the  lodges  of  the  Narragan- 
setts  stood,  and  yet  it  hath  never  been  hid  from  our  sight. 
Since  that  time  have  we  travelled  in  the  woods,  bearing  on 
our  backs  all  that  is  left  but  our  sorrow  that  we  carry  in 
our  hearts." 

1  1  Why  is  my  brother  troubled  ?  There  are  many  scalps 
among  his  people,  and  see,  his  own  tomahawk  is  very  red. 
L,et  him  quiet  his  anger  till  the  night  cometh,  and  there  will 
be  a  deeper  stain  on  the  axe.  I  know  he  is  in  a  hurry,  but 
our  councils  say  it  is  better  to  wait  for  darkness,  since  the 
cunning  of  the  pale-faces  is  too  strong  for  the  hands  of  our 
young  men." 

"  When  was  a    Narragansett    slow    to    leap,   after  the 


Wept  of 


whoop  was  given,  or  unwilling  to  stay  when  men  of  gray 
heads  say  'tis  better?  I  like  your  counsel  —  it  is  full  of 
wisdom.  Yet  an  Indian  is  but  a  man  !  Can  he  fight  with 
the  God  of  the  Yengeese  ?  He  is  too  weak.  An  Indian  is 
but  a  man,  though  his  skin  be  red  !  '  ' 

"  I  look  into  the  clouds,  at  the  trees,  among  the  lodges," 
said  the  other,  affecting  to  gaze  curiously  at  the  different 
objects  he  named,  "but  I  cannot  see  the  white  Manitou. 
The  pale-  men  were  talking  to  him  when  we  raised  the 
whoop  in  their  fields,  and  yet  He  has  not  heard  them.  Go  ; 
my  son  has  struck  their  warriors  with  a  strong  hand  ;  has 
he  forgotten  to  count  how  many  dead  lie  among  the  trees 
with  the  sweet-smelling  blossoms  ?  '  ' 

1  '  Metacom,  '  '  returned  he  who  had  been  called  the  Sachem 
of  the  Narragansetts,  stepping  cautiously  nearer  to  his 
friend,  and  speaking  lower,  as  if  he  feared  an  invisible  audi- 
tor, "thou  hast  put  hate  into  the  bosoms  of  the  redmen, 
but  canst  thou  make  them  more  cunning  than  the  spirits  ? 
Hate  is  very  strong,  but  cunning  hath  a  longer  arm.  See," 
he  added,  raising  the  fingers  of  his  two  hands  before  the 
eyes  of  his  attentive  companion  ;  "  ten  snows  have  come 
and  melted  since  there  stood  a  lodge  of  the  pale-faces  on  this 
hill.  Conanchet  was  then  a  boy.  His  hand  had  struck 
nothing  but  deer.  His  heart  was  full  of  wishes.  By  day 
he  thought  of  Pequot  scalps,  at  night  he  heard  the  dying 
words  of  Miantonimoh.  Though  slain  by  cowardly  Pequots 
and  lying  Yengeese,  his  father  came  with  the  night  into  his 
wigwam,  to  talk  to  his  son.  '  Does  the  child  of  so  many 
great  sachems  grow  big  ?  '  would  he  say  ;  *  is  his  arm  get- 
ting strong,  his  foot  light,  his  eye  quick,  his  heart  valiant? 
Will  Conanchet  be  like  his  fathers  ?  when  will  the  young 
Sachem  of  the  Narragansetts  become  a  man  ?  '  Why  should 
I  tell  my  brother  of  these  visits?  Metacom  hath  often 
seen  the  long  line  of  Wampanoag  chiefs,  in  his  sleep.  The 
brave  sachems  sometimes  enter  into  the  heart  of  their  son  ?  '  ' 

The  lofty-minded  though  wily  Philip  struck  his  hand 
heavily  upon  his  naked  breast,  as  he  answered,  — 

"  They  are  always  here.  Metacom  has  no  soul  but  the 
spirit  of  his  fathers  !  " 


314          ^Tbe  IKHept  of 


'  '  When  he  was  tired  of  silence  the  murdered  Miantonimoh 
spoke  aloud,"  continued  Conanchet,  after  permitting  the 
customary  courteous  pause  to  succeed  the  emphatic  words  of 
his  companion.  "  He  bade  his  son  arise,  and  go  among  the 
Yengeese,  that  he  might  return  with  scalps  to  hang  in  his 
wigwam  ;  for  the  eyes  of  the  dead  chief  liked  not  to  see  the 
place  so  empty.  The  voice  of  Conanchet  was  then  too  feeble 
for  the  council-fire  ;  he  said  nothing  —  he  went  alone.  An 
evil  spirit  gave  him  into  the  hands  of  the  pale-  faces.  He  was 
a  captive  many  moons.  They  shut  him  in  a  cage,  like  a 
tamed  panther  !  It  was  here.  The  news  of  his  ill-luck 
passed  from  the  mouths  of  the  young  men  of  the  Yengeese 
to  the  hunters,  and  from  the  hunters  it  came  to  the  ears  of 
the  Narragansetts.  My  people  had  lost  their  sachem,  and 
they  came  to  seek  him.  Metacom,  the  boy  had  felt  the 
power  of  the  God  of  the  Yengeese  !  His  mind  began  to 
grow  weak  ;  he  thought  less  of  revenge  ;  the  spirit  of  his 
father  came  no  more  at  night.  There  was  much  talking 
with  the  unknown  God,  and  the  words  of  his  enemies  were 
kind.  He  hunted  with  them.  When  he  met  the  trail  of  his 
warriors  in  the  woods  his  mind  was  troubled,  for  he  knew 
their  errand.  Still  he  saw  his  father's  spirit,  and  waited. 
The  whoop  was  heard  that  night  ;  many  died,  and  the  Nar- 
ragansetts took  scalps.  Thou  seest  this  lodge  of  stone,  over 
which  fire  has  passed.  There  was  then  a  cunning  place 
above,  and  in  it  the  pale-men  went  to  fight  for  their  lives. 
But  the  fire  kindled,  and  then  there  was  no  hope.  The  soul 
of  Conanchet  was  moved  at  that  sight,  for  there  was  much 
honesty  in  them  within.  Though  their  skins  were  so  white, 
they  had  not  slain  his  father.  But  the  flames  would  not  be 
spoken  to,  and  the  place  became  like  the  coals  of  a  deserted 
council-fire.  All  within  were  turned  to  ashes.  If  the 
spirit  of  Miantonimoh  rejoiced,  it  was  well  ;  but  the  soul  of 
his  son  was  very  heavy.  The  weakness  was  on  him,  and 
he  no  longer  thought  of  boasting  of  his  deeds  at  the  war- 
post" 

"  That  fire  scorched  the  stain  of  blood  from  the  sachem's 
plain?" 

"  It  did.     Since  that  time  I  have  not  seen  the  marks  of 


TTbe  Wept  of  Mi8b*Uon*Mteb  315 

my  father's  blood.  Gray  heads  and  boys  were  in  that  fire, 
and  when  the  timbers  fell  nothing  was  left  but  coals.  Yet 
do  they,  who  were  in  the  blazing  lodge,  stand  there  ! ' ' 

The  attentive  Metacom  started,  and  glanced  a  hasty  look 
at  the  ruin. 

"  Does  my  son  see  spirits  in  the  air  !  "  he  asked  hastily. 

' '  No,  they  live  ;  they  are  bound  for  the  torments.  In  the 
white  head,  is  he  who  talked  much  with  his  God.  The 
elder  chief  who  struck  our  young  men  so  hard  was  then 
also  a  captive  in  this  lodge.  He  who  spoke,  and  she  who 
seems  even  paler  than  her  race,  died  that  night ;  and  yet 
are  they  now  here  !  Even  the  brave  youth  that  was  so  hard 
to  conquer  looks  like  a  boy  that  was  in  the  fire  !  The  Yen- 
geese  deal  with  unknown  gods  ;  they  are  too  cunning  for  an 
Indian  !" 

Philip  heard  this  strange  tale  as  a  being  educated  in  su- 
perstitious legends  would  be  apt  to  listen  ;  and  yet  it  was 
with  a  leaning  to  incredulity,  that  was  generated  by  his 
fierce  and  indomitable  desire  for  the  destruction  of  the  hated 
race.  He  had  prevailed,  in  the  councils  of  his  nation,  over 
many  similar  signs  of  supernatural  agency  that  were  exer- 
cised in  favor  of  his  enemies,  but  never  before  had  facts  so 
imposing  come  so  directly  and  from  so  high  a  source  before 
his  mind.  Even  the  proud  resolution  and  far-sighted  wis- 
dom of  this  sagacious  chief  were  shaken  by  such  testimony, 
and  there  was  a  single  moment  when  the  idea  of  abandoning 
a  league  that  seemed  desperate  took  possession  of  his  brain. 
But  true  to  himself  and  his  cause,  second  thoughts  and  a 
firmer  purpose  retorted  his  resolution,  though  they  could 
not  remove  the  perplexity  of  his  doubts. 

"  What  does  Conanchet  wish ?"  he  said.  "Twice  have 
his  warriors  broken  into  this  valley,  and  twice  have  the 
tomahawks  of  his  young  men  been  redder  than  the  head  of 
the  woodpecker.  The  fire  was  not  good  fire  ;  the  tomahawk 
will  kill  surer.  Had  not  the  voice  of  my  brother  said  to  his 
young  men,  '  Let  the  scalps  of  the  prisoners  alone,'  he  could 
not  now  say,  *  Yet  do  they  now  stand  here  !  ' ' 

' '  My  mind  is  troubled,  friend  «f  my  father.  Let  them  be 
questioned  artfully,  that  the  truth  be  known." 


Ube  Wept  of 


Metacom  mused  an  instant ;  then  smiling  in  a  friendly 
manner  on  his  young  and  much-moved  companion,  he  made 
a  sign  to  a  youth  who  was  straying  about  the  fields  to  ap- 
proach. This  young  warrior  was  made  the  bearer  of  an 
order  to  lead  the  captives  to  the  hill,  after  which  the  two 
chiefs  stalked  to  and  fro  in  silence,  each  brooding  over  what 
had  passed,  in  a  humor  that  was  suited  to  his  particular 
character  and  more  familiar  feelings. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

"  No  withered  witch  shall  here  be  seen, 
No  goblins  lead  their  nightly  crew ; 
The  female  fays  shall  haunt  the  green, 
And  dress  thy  grave  with  pearly  dew." 

CoujNS. 

IT  is  rarely  indeed  that  the  philosophy  of  a  dignified 
Indian  is  so  far  disturbed  as  to  destroy  the  appear- 
ance of  equanimity.  When  Content  and  the  family 
of  the  Heathcotes  appeared  on  the  hill,  they  found  the 
chiefs  still  pacing  the  orchard,  with  the  outward  composure 
of  men  unmoved,  and  with  the  gravity  that  was  suited  to 
their  rank.  Annawon,  who  had  acted  as  their  conductor, 
caused  the  captives  to  be  placed  in  a  row,  choosing  the  foot 
of  the  ruin  for  their  position,  and  then  he  patiently  awaited 
the  moment  when  his  superiors  might  be  pleased  to  renew 
the  examination.  In  this  habitual  silence,  there  was  noth- 
ing of  the  abject  air  of  Asiatic  deference.  It  proceeded 
from  the  habit  of  self-command  which  taught  the  Indian  to 
repress  all  natural  emotions.  A  very  similar  effect  was  pro- 
duced by  the  religious  abasement  of  those  whom  fortune  had 
now  thrown  into  their  power.  It  would  have  been  a  curious 
study  for  one  interested  in  the  manners  of  the  human  species, 
to  note  the  difference  between  the  calm,  physical,  and  per- 
fect self-possession  of  the  wild  tenants  of  the  forest,  and  the 
ascetic,  spiritually  sustained,  and  yet  meek  submission  to 
Providence,  that  was  exhibited  by  most  of  the  prisoners. 
We  say  most,  for  there  was  an  exception.  The  brow  of 
young  Mark  still  retained  its  frown,  and  the  angry  charac- 
ter of  his  eye  was  only  lost  when  by  chance  it  lighted  on 
the  drooping  form  and  pallid  features  of  his  mother.  There 

317 


318          Ube  Mept  of 


was  ample  time  for  these  several  and  peculiar  qualities  to  be 
thus  silently  exhibited,  many  minutes  passing  before  either 
of  the  sachems  seemed  inclined  to  recommence  the  confer- 
ence. At  length  Philip,  or  Metacom,  as  we  shall  indiffer- 
ently call  him,  drew  near  and  spoke. 

''This  earth  is  a  good  earth,"  he  said;  "  it  is  of  many 
colors,  to  please  the  eyes  of  Him  who  made  it.  In  one  part 
it  is  dark,  and  as  the  worm  taketh  the  color  of  the  leaf  on 
which  he  crawls,  there  the  hunters  are  black  ;  in  another 
part  it  is  white,  and  that  is  the  part  where  pale-men  were 
born,  and  where  they  should  die  ;  or  they  may  miss  the 
road  which  leads  to  their  happy  hunting-grounds.  Many 
just  warriors  who  have  been  killed  on  distant  war-paths  still 
wander  in  the  woods,  because  the  trail  is  hid  and  their  sight 
dim.  It  is  not  good  to  trust  so  much  to  the  cunning  of  —  " 

"  Wretched  and  blind  worshipper  of  Apollyon  !  "  inter- 
rupted the  Puritan,  "  we  are  not  of  the  idolatrous  and  fool- 
ish-minded !  It  hath  been  accorded  to  us  to  know  the 
Lord  ;  to  his  chosen  worshippers  all  regions  are  alike.  The 
spirit  can  mount  equally  through  snows  and  whirlwinds  ; 
the  tempest  and  the  calm  ;  from  the  lands  of  the  sun,  and 
the  lands  of  the  frosts  ;  from  the  depths  of  the  ocean,  from 
fire,  from  the  forest  —  " 

He  was  interrupted  in  his  turn.  At  the  word  fire,  the 
finger  of  Metacom  fell  meaningly  on  his  shoulder,  and  when 
he  had  ceased,  for  until  then  no  Indian  would  have  spoken, 
the  other  gravely  asked,  — 

'  '  And  when  a  man  of  a  pale-skin  has  gone  up  in  the  fire 
can  he  again  walk  upon  earth  ?  Is  the  river  between  this 
clearing  and  the  pleasant  fields  of  a  Yengeese  so  narrow 
that  the  just  men  can  step  across  it  when  they  please?  " 

'  '  This  is  the  conceit  of  one  wallowing  in  the  slough  of 
heathenish  abominations  ?  Child  of  ignorance  !  know  that 
the  barriers  which  separate  heaven  from  earth  are  impass- 
able ;  for  what  purified  being  could  endure  the  wickedness 
of  the  flesh?" 

1  '  This  is  a  lie  of  the  false  pale-faces,  '  '  said  the  wily 
Philip  ;  "it  is  told  that  the  Indian  might  not  learn  their 
cunning,  and  become  stronger  than  a  Yengeese.  My 


Wept  of  Mtsb^on^Misb          319 

father,  and  those  with  him,  were  once  burnt  in  this  lodge, 
and  now  he  standeth  here,  ready  to  take  the  tomahawk  ! ' ' 

' '  To  be  angered  at  this  blasphemy  would  ill  denote  the 
pity  that  I  feel,"  said  Mark,  more  excited  at  the  charge  of 
necromancy  than  he  was  willing  to  own  ;  "  and  yet  to  suffer 
so  fatal  an  error  to  spread  among  these  deluded  victims  of 
Satan  would  be  neglect  of  duty.  Thou  hast  heard  some 
legend  of  thy  wild  people,  man  of  the  Wampanoags,  which 
may  heap  double  perdition  on  thy  soul,  lest  thou  shouldst 
happily  be  rescued  from  the  fangs  of  the  deceiver.  It  is 
true  that  I  and  mine  were  in  exceeding  jeopardy  in  this 
tower,  and  that  to  the  eyes  of  men  without  we  seemed  melted 
with  the  heat  of  the  flames  ;  but  the  Lord  put  it  into  our 
spirits  to  seek  refuge  whither  fire  could  not  come.  The  well 
was  made  the  instrument  of  our  safety,  for  the  fulfilment  of 
His  own  inscrutable  designs. ' ' 

Notwithstanding  the  long-practised  and  exceeding  sub- 
tlety of  the  listeners,  they  heard  this  simple  explanation  of 
that  which  they  had  deemed  a  miracle,  with  a  wonder  that 
could  not  readily  be  concealed.  Delight  at  the  excellence 
of  the  artifice  was  evidently  the  first  and  common  emotion 
of  them  both  ;  nor  would  they  yield  implicit  faith  until 
assured  beyond  a  doubt  that  what  they  heard  was  true. 
The  little  iron  door,  which  had  permitted  access  to  the  well, 
for  the  ordinary  domestic  purposes  of  the  family,  was  still 
there  ;  and  it  was  only  after  each  had  cast  a  look  down  the 
deep  shaft,  that  he  appeared  satisfied  of  the  practicability  of 
the  deed.  Then  a  look  of  triumph  gleamed  in  the  swarthy 
visage  of  Philip,  while  the  features  of  his  associate  expressed 
equally  his  satisfaction  and  his  regret.  They  walked  apart, 
musing  on  what  they  had  just  seen  and  heard  ;  and  when 
they  spoke,  it  was  again  in  the  language  of  their  people. 

' '  My  son  hath  a  tongue  that  cannot  lie, ' '  observed  Mata- 
com,  in  a  soothing,  flattering  accent.  "  What  he  hath  seen, 
he  tells  ;  and  what  he  tells  is  true.  Conanchet  is  not  a  boy, 
but  a  chief  whose  wisdom  is  gray,  while  his  limbs  are  young. 
Now,  why  shall  not  his  people  take  the  scalps  of  these  Yen- 
geese,  that  they  may  never  go  any  more  into  holes  in  the 
earth,  like  cunning  foxes  ?  " 


320          ZTbe  Wept  of 


"The  sachem  hath  a  very  bloody  mind,"  returned  the 
young  chief,  quicker  than  was  common  for  men  of  his  sta- 
tion. "  Let  the  arms  of  the  warriors  rest,  till  they  meet  the 
armed  hands  of  the  Yengeese,  or  they  will  be  too  tired  to 
strike  heavily.  My  young  men  have  taken  scalps  since  the 
sun  came  over  the  trees,  and  they  are  satisfied.  Why  does 
Metacom  look  so  hard  ?  What  does  my  father  see  ?  '  ' 

'  '  A  dark  spot  in  the  middle  of  a  white  plain.  The  grass 
is  not  green  ;  it  is  red  as  blood.  It  is  too  dark  for  the  blood 
of  a  pale-face.  It  is  the  rich  blood  of  a  great  warrior.  The 
rains  cannot  wash  it  out  ;  it  grows  darker  every  sun.  The 
snows  do  not  whiten  it  ;  it  hath  been  there  many  winters. 
The  birds  scream  as  they  fly  over  it  ;  the  wolf  howls  ;  the 
lizards  creep  another  way." 

'  '  Thine  eyes  are  getting  old  ;  fire  hath  blackened  the 
place,  and  what  thou  seest  is  coal." 

*  '  The  fire  was  kindled  in  a  well  ;  it  did  not  burn  bright. 
What  I  see  is  blood." 

"  Wampanoag,  "  rejoined  Conanchet,  fiercely,  "  I  have 
scorched  the  spot  with  the  lodges  of  the  Yengeese.  The 
grave  of  my  father  is  covered  with  scalps  taken  by  the  hand 
of  his  son  !  Why  does  Metacom  look  again  ?  What  does 
the  chief  see?" 

'  '  An  Indian  town  burning  in  the  midst  of  the  snow  ;  the 
young  men  struck  from  behind  ;  the  girls  screaming  ;  the 
children  broiling  on  coals,  and  the  old  men  dying  like  dogs  ! 
It  is  the  village  of  the  cowardly  Pequots  —  No,  I  see  better  ; 
the  Yengeese  are  in  the  country  of  the  Great  Narragansett, 
and  the  brave  sachem  is  there,  fighting  !  I  shut  my  eyes, 
for  smoke  blinds  them  !  '  ' 

Conanchet  heard  this  allusion  to  the  recent  and  deplorable 
fate  of  the  principal  establishment  of  his  tribe,  in  sullen 
silence  ;  for  the  desire  of  revenge,  which  had  been  so  fear- 
fully awakened,  seemed  now  to  be  slumbering,  if  it  were  not 
entirely  quelled  by  the  agency  of  some  mysterious  and  po- 
tent feeling.  He  rolled  his  eyes  gloomily  from  the  apparently 
abstracted  countenance  of  his  artful  companion  to  those  of 
the  captives,  whose  fate  only  awaited  his  judgment,  since  the 
band  which  had  that  morning  broken  in  upon  the  Wish-Ton- 


ZTbe  Wept  of  Mf8b*Uon*Mfsb          321 

Wish  was,  with  but  few  exceptions,  composed  of  the  sur- 
viving warriors  of  his  own  powerful  nation.  But  while  his 
look  was  displeased,  faculties  that  were  schooled  so  highly 
could  not  easily  be  mistaken  in  what  passed,  even  in  the 
most  cursory  manner,  before  his  sight. 

' '  What  sees  my  father  next  ?  "  he  asked,  with  an  interest 
he  could  not  control,  detecting  another  change  in  the  features 
of  Met  acorn. 

"  One  who  is  neither  white  nor  red.  A  young  woman,  that 
boundeth  like  a  skipping  fawn  ;  who  hath  lived  in  a  wig- 
wam, doing  nothing  ;  who  speaks  with  two  tongues  ;  who 
holds  her  hands  before  the  eyes  of  a  great  warrior,  till  he  is 
blind  as  the  owl  in  the  sun — I  see  her — ' ' 

Metacom  paused,  for  at  that  moment  a  being  that  singu- 
larly resembled  this  description  appeared  before  him,  offering 
the  reality  of  the  imaginary  picture  he  was  drawing  with  so 
much  irony  and  art. 

The  movement  of  the  timid  hare  is  scarce  more  hurried,  or 
more  undecided,  than  that  of  the  creature  who  now  suddenly 
presented  herself  to  the  warriors.  It  was  apparent,  by  the  hesi- 
tating and  half-retreating  step  that  succeeded  the  light  bound 
with  which  she  came  in  view,  that  she  dreaded  to  advance, 
while  she  knew  not  how  far  it  might  be  proper  to  retire. 
For  the  first  moment,  she  stood  in  a  suspended  and  doubting 
posture,  such  as  one  might  suppose  a  creature  of  mist  would 
assume  ere  it  vanished,  and  then  meeting  the  eye  of  Conan- 
chet,  the  uplifted  foot  retouched  the  earth,  and  her  whole 
form  sank  into  the  modest  and  shrinking  attitude  of  an  In- 
dian girl,  who  stood  in  the  presence  of  a  sachem  of  her  tribe. 
As  this  female  is  to  enact  no  mean  part  in  that  which  follows, 
the  reader  may  be  thankful  for  a  more  minute  description 
of  her  person. 

The  age  of  the  stranger  was  under  twenty.  In  form  she 
rose  above  the  usual  stature  of  an  Indian  maid,  though  the 
proportions  of  her  person  were  as  light  and  buoyant  as  at  all 
comported  with  the  fulness  that  properly  belonged  to  her 
years.  The  limbs,  seen  below  the  folds  of  a  short  kirtle  of 
bright  scarlet  cloth,  were  just  and  tapering,  even  to  the  nicest 
proportions  of  classic  beauty  ;  and  never  did  foot  of  higher 


322          ZTbe  Mept  of 


instep,  and  softer  roundness,  grace  a  feathered  moccasin. 
Though  the  person,  from  the  neck  to  the  knees,  was  hid  by 
a  tightly-fitting  vest  of  calico  and  the  short  kirtle  named, 
enough  of  the  shape  was  visible  to  betray  outlines  that  had 
never  been  injured,  either  by  the  mistaken  devices  of  art  or 
by  the  baneful  effects  of  toil.  The  skin  was  only  visible  at 
the  hands,  face,  and  neck.  Its  lustre  having  been  a  little 
dimmed  by  exposure,  a  rich,  rosy  tint  had  usurped  the 
natural  brightness  of  a  complexion  that  had  once  been  fair 
even  to  brilliancy.  The  eye  was  full,  sweet,  and  of  a  blue  that 
emulated  the  sky  of  evening  ;  the  brows  soft  and  arched  ; 
the  nose  straight,  delicate,  and  slightly  Grecian  ;  the  fore- 
head fuller  than  that  which  properly  belonged  to  a  girl  of 
the  Narragansetts,  but  regular,  delicate,  and  polished  ;  and 
the  hair,  instead  of  dropping  in  long  straight  tresses  of  jet 
black,  broke  out  of  the  restraints  of  a  band  of  beaded  wam- 
pum, in  ringlets  of  golden  yellow. 

The  peculiarities  that  distinguished  this  female  from  the 
others  of  her  tribe  were  not  confined  alone  to  the  indelible 
marks  of  nature.  Her  step  was  more  elastic  —  her  gait  more 
erect  and  graceful  —  her  foot  less  inwardly  inclined,  and  her 
whole  movements  freer  and  more  decided  than  those  of  a 
race  doomed  from  infancy  to  subjection  and  labor.  Though 
ornamented  by  some  of  the  prized  inventions  of  the  hated 
race  to  which  she  evidently  owed  her  birth,  she  had  the  wild 
and  timid  look  of  those  with  whom  she  had  grown  into 
womanhood.  Her  beauty  would  have  been  remarkable  in 
any  region  of  the  earth,  while  the  play  of  muscle,  the  in- 
genuous beaming  of  the  eye,  and  the  freedom  of  limb  and 
action,  were  such  as  seldom  pass  beyond  the  years  of  child- 
hood among  people  who,  in  attempting  to  improve,  so  often 
mar  the  works  of  nature. 

Although  the  color  of  the  eye  was  so  very  different  from 
that  which  generally  belongs  to  one  of  Indian  origin,  the 
manner  of  its  quick  and  searching  glance,  and  of  the  half- 
alarmed  and  yet  understanding  look  with  which  this  extra- 
ordinary creature  made  herself  mistress  of  the  more  general 
character  of  the  assemblage  before  which  she  had  been  sum- 
moned, was  like  the  half-instinctive  knowledge  of  one  accus- 


Wept  of  Wisb*Uon*Wteb          323 

tomed  to  the  constant  and  keenest  exercise  of  her  faculties. 
Pointing  with  a  finger  towards  Whittal  Ring,  who  stood  a 
little  in  the  background,  a  low,  sweet  voice  was  heard  asking, 
in  the  language  of  the  Indians, — 

"Why  'has  Conanchet  sent  for  his  woman  from  the 
woods?" 

The  young  sachem  made  no  reply.  An  ordinary  specta- 
tor could  not  have  detected  about  him  even  a  consciousness 
of  the  speaker's  presence.  On  the  contrary,  he  maintained 
the  lofty  reserve  of  a  chief  engaged  in  affairs  of  moment. 
However  deeply  his  thoughts  might  have  been  troubled,  it 
was  not  easy  to  trace  any  evidence  of  the  state  of  his  mind 
in  the  calmness  of  features  that  appeared  habitually  immov- 
able. For  a  single  treacherous  instant  only,  was  a  glance  of 
kindness  shot  towards  the  timid  and  attentive  girl,  and  then 
throwing  the  still  bloody  tomahawk  into  the  hollow  of  one 
arm,  while  the  hand  of  the  other  firmly  grasped  its  handle, 
he  remained  unchanged  in  feature,  as  he  was  rigid  in  limb. 
Not  so  with  Philip.  When  the  intruder  first  appeared,  a 
dark  and  lowering  gleam  of  discontent  gathered  at  his  brow. 
It  quickly  changed  to  a  look  of  sarcastic  and  biting  scorn. 

1 '  Does  my  brother  again  wish  to  know  what  I  see  !  "  he 
demanded,  when  sufficient  time  had  passed,  after  the  unan- 
swered question  of  the  female,  to  show  that  his  companion 
was  not  disposed  to  answer. 

*  *  What  does  the  Sachem  of  the  Wampanoags  now  be- 
hold?" returned  Conanchet,  proudly,  unwilling  to  show 
any  circumstance  had  occurred  to  interrupt  the  subject  of 
their  conference. 

"  A  sight  that  his  eyes  will  not  believe.  He  sees  a  great 
tribe  on  the  war-path.  There  are  many  braves,  and  a  chief 
whose  fathers  came  from  the  clouds.  Their  hands  are  in 
the  air.  They  strike  heavy  blows  ;  the  arrow  is  swift,  and 
the  bullet  is  not  seen  to  enter — but  it  kills.  Blood  runs  from 
the  wounds,  that  is  of  the  color  of  water.  Now  he  does  not 
see,  but  he  hears  !  'T  is  the  scalp-whoop,  and  the  warriors 
are  very  glad.  The  chiefs  in  the  happy  hunting-grounds  are 
coming  with  joy  to  meet  Indians  that  are  killed  ;  for  they 
know  the  scalp- whoop  of  their  children." 


Ube  Wept  of 


The  expressive  countenance  of  the  young  sachem  invol- 
untarily responded  to  this  description  of  the  scene  through 
which  he  had  just  passed  ;  and  it  was  impossible  for  one  so 
tutored  to  prevent  the  blood  from  rushing  faster  to  a  heart 
that  ever  beat  strongly  with  the  wishes  of  a  warrior. 

'  '  What  sees  my  father  next  ?  "  he  asked,  triumph  insensi- 
bly stealing  into  the  tones  of  his  voice. 

'  '  A  messenger  :  and  then  he  hears  —  the  moccasins  of 
squaws  !  '  ' 

'  '  Enough  ;  Metacom,  the  women  of  the  Narragansetts 
have  no  lodges.  Their  villages  are  in  coals,  and  they  follow 
the  young  men  for  food." 

'*  I  see  no  deer.  The  hunter  will  not  find  venison  in  a 
clearing  of  the  pale-faces.  But  the  corn  is  full  of  milk. 
Conanchet  is  very  hungry  ;  he  hath  sent  for  his  woman,  that 
he  may  eat  !  '  ' 

The  fingers  of  that  hand  which  grasped  the  handle  of  the 
tomahawk  appeared  to  bury  themselves  in  the  wood.  The 
glittering  axe  itself  was  slightly  raised  ;  but  the  fierce 
gleaming  of  resentment  subsided,  as  the  anger  of  the  young 
sachem  vanished,  and  a  dignified  calm  again  settled  on  his 
countenance. 

"  Go,  Wampanoag,"  he  said,  waving  a  hand  proudly,  as 
if  determined  to  be  no  longer  harassed  by  the  language  of 
his  wily  associate.  '  '  My  young  men  will  raise  the  whoop 
when  they  hear  my  voice,  and  they  will  kill  deer  for  their 
women.  Sachem,  my  mind  is  my  own." 

Philip  answered  to  the  look  which  accompanied  these 
words,  with  one  that  threatened  vengeance  ;  but  smothering 
his  anger  with  his  accustomed  wisdom,  he  left  the  hill,  as- 
suming an  air  that  affected  more  of  commiseration  than  of 
resentment. 

'  '  Why  has  Conanchet  sent  for  a  woman  from  the  woods  ?  '  ' 
repeated  the  same  soft  voice,  nearer  to  the  elbow  of  the 
young  sachem,  and  which  spoke  with  less  of  the  timidity  of 
the  sex,  now  that  the  troubled  spirit  of  the  Indians  of  those 
regions  had  disappeared. 

"  Narra-mattah,  come  near,"  returned  the  young  chief, 
changing  the  deep  and  proud  tones  in  which  he  had  ad- 


tlbe  Wept  of  Mt0b*aon==Wisb          325 

dressed  his  restless  and  bold  companion  in  arms,  to  those 
which  better  suited  the  gentle  ear  for  which  his  words  were 
intended.  "  Fear  not,  daughter  of  the  morning  ;  for  those 
around  us  are  of  a  race  used  to  see  women  at  the  council- 
fires.  Now  look  with  an  open  eye.  Is  there  anything  among 
these  trees  that  seemeth  like  an  ancient  tradition?  Hast 
ever  beheld  such  a  valley  in  thy  dreams  ?  Have  yonder 
pale-faces  whom  the  tomahawks  of  my  young  men  spared, 
been  led  before  thee  by  the  Great  Spirit  in  the  dark  night  ?  ' ' 

The  female  listened  in  deep  attention.  Her  gaze  was 
wild  and  uncertain,  and  yet  it  was  not  absolutely  without 
gleamings  of  a  half-reviving  intelligence.  Until  that  mo- 
ment she  had  been  too  much  occupied  in  conjecturing  the 
subject  of  her  visit,  to  regard  the  natural  objects  of  which 
she  was  surrounded ;  but  with  her  attention  thus  directly 
turned  upon  them,  her  organs  of  sight  embraced  each  and 
all,  with  the  discrimination  that  is  so  remarkable  in  those 
whose  faculties  are  quickened  by  danger  and  necessity. 
Passing  from  side  to  side,  her  swift  glances  ran  over  the 
distant  hamlet,  with  its  little  fort,  the  buildings  in  the  near 
grounds,  the  soft  and  verdant  fields — the  fragrant  orchard, 
beneath  whose  leafy  shades  she  stood,  and  the  blackened 
tower  that  rose  in  its  centre  like  some  gloomy  memorial, 
placed  there  to  remind  the  spectator  not  to  trust  too  fondly 
to  the  signs  of  peace  and  loveliness  that  reigned  around. 
Shaking  back  the  ringlets  that  had  blown  about  her  tem- 
ples, the  wondering  female  returned  thoughtfully  and  in 
silence  to  her  place. 

1  'T  is  a  village  of  the  Yengeese  !  "  she  said,  after  a  long 
and  expressive  pause.  A  Narragansett  woman  does  not  love 
to  look  at  the  lodges  of  the  hated  race. ' ' 

*  *  Listen.  Lies  have  never  entered  the  ears  of  Narra-mattah . 
My  tongue  hath  spoken  like  the  tongue  of  a  chief.  Thou 
didst  not  come  of  the  sumach,  but  of  the  snow.  This 
hand  of  thine  is  not  like  the  hands  of  the  women  of  my 
tribe  ;  it  is  little,  for  the  Great  Spirit  did  not  make  it  for 
work  ;  it  is  of  the  color  of  the  sky  in  the  morning,  for  thy 
fathers  were  born  near  the  place^  where  the  sun  rises.  Thy 
blood  is  like  spring- water.  All  this  thou  knowest,  for  none 


326          Ube  Mept  of 


have  spoken  false  in  thy  ear.  Speak  —  dost  thou  never  see 
the  wigwam  of  thy  father  ?  Does  not  his  voice  whisper  to 
thee  in  the  language  of  his  people  ?  '  ' 

The  female  stood  in  the  attitude  which  a  sibyl  might  be 
supposed  to  assume,  while  listening  to  the  occult  mandates 
of  the  mysterious  oracle,  every  faculty  entranced  and  atten- 
tive. 

'  Why  does  Conanchet  ask  these  questions  of  his  wife  ? 
He  knows  what  she  knows  ;  he  sees  what  she  sees  ;  his 
mind  is  her  mind.  If  the  Great  Spirit  made  her  skin  of  a 
different  color,  he  made  her  heart  the  same.  Narra-mattah 
will  not  listen  to  the  lying  language  ;  she  shuts  her  ears, 
for  there  is  deceit  in  its  sounds.  She  tries  to  forget  it. 
One  tongue  can  say  all  she  wishes  to  speak  to  Conanchet  ; 
why  should  she  look  back  in  dreams,  when  a  great  chief  is 
her  husband  ?  '  ' 

The  eye  of  the  warrior,  as  he  looked  upon  the  ingenuous 
and  confiding  face  of  the  speaker,  was  kind  to  fondness. 
The  firmness  had  passed  away,  and  in  its  place  was  left  the 
winning  softness  of  affection,  which,  as  it  belongs  to  nature, 
is  seen,  at  times,  in  the  expression  of  an  Indian's  eye,  as 
strongly  as  it  is  ever  known  to  sweeten  the  intercourse  of  a 
more  polished  condition  of  life. 

11  Girl,"  he  said  with  emphasis,  after  a  moment  of 
thought,  as  if  he  would  recall  her  and  himself  to  more 
important  duties,  "this  is  a  war-path  ;  all  on  it  are  men. 
Thou  wast  like  the  pigeon  before  its  wing  opens,  when  I 
brought  thee  from  the  nest  ;  still  the  winds  of  many  win- 
ters had  blown  upon  thee.  Dost  never  think  of  the  warmth 
and  of  the  food  of  the  lodge  in  which  thou  hast  passed  so 
many  seasons  ?  '  ' 

'  *  The  wigwam  of  Conanchet  is  warm  ;  no  woman  of  the 
tribe  hath  as  many  furs  as  Narra-mattah." 

"  He  is  a  great  hunter  !  when  they  hear  his  moccasin, 
the  beavers  lie  down  to  be  killed  !  But  the  men  of  the 
pale-faces  hold  the  plough.  Does  not  the  driven  snow 
think  of  those  who  fenced  the  wigwam  of  her  father  from 
the  cold,  or  of  the  manner  in  which  the  Yengeese  live  ?  '  ' 

His  youthful  and  attentive  wife  seemed  to  reflect;   but 


Ube  OTept  of  Wfsb^on^Wteb          327 


raising  her  face,  with  an  expression  of  content  that  could 
not  be  counterfeited,  she  shook  her  head  in  the  negative. 

' '  Does  she  never  see  a  fire  kindled  among  the  lodges,  or 
hear  the  whoops  of  warriors  as  they  break  into  a  settle- 
ment?" 

"Many  fires  have  been  kindled  before  her  eyes.  The 
ashes  of  the  Narragansett  town  are  not  yet  cold." 

' '  Does  not  Narra-mattah  hear  her  father  speaking  to  the 
God  of  the  Yengeese  ?  Listen — he  is  asking  favor  for  his 
child." 

' '  The  Great  Spirit  of  the  Narragansett  has  ears  for  his 
people." 

"But  I  hear  a  softer  voice  !  'Tis  a  woman  of  the  pale- 
faces among  her  children  :  cannot  the  daughter  hear  ?  ' ' 

Narra-mattah,  or  ' '  the  driven  snow, ' '  laid  her  hand  lightly 
on  the  arm  of  the  chief,  and  she  looked  wistfully  and  long 
into  his  face,  without  an  answer.  The  gaze  seemed  to 
deprecate  the  anger  that  might  be  awakened  by  what  she 
was  about  to  reveal. 

' '  Chief  of  my  people, ' '  she  said,  encouraged  by  his  still 
calm  and  gentle  brow,  to  proceed,  * '  what  a  girl  of  the 
clearings  sees  in  her  dreams  shall  not  be  hid.  It  is  not 
the  lodges  of  her  race,  for  the  wigwam  of  her  husband  is 
warmer.  It  is  not  the  food  and  clothes  of  a  cunning  peo- 
ple, for  who  is  richer  than  the  wife  of  a  great  chief?  It 
is  not  her  father  speaking  to  their  Spirit,  for  there  is  none 
stronger  than  Manitou.  Narra-mattah  has  forgotten  all ; 
she  does  not  wish  to  think  of  things  like  these.  She  knows 
how  to  hate  a  hungry  and  craving  race.  But  she  sees  one 
that  the  wives  of  the  Narragansetts  do  not  see.  She  sees  a 
woman  with  a  white  skin  ;  her  eyes  look  softly  on  her  child 
in  her  dreams  ;  it  is  not  an  eye,  it  is  a  tongue  !  It  says, 
What  does  the  wife  of  Conanchet  wish  ? — is  she  cold  ?  here 
are  furs — is  she  hungry?  here  is  venison — is  she  tired? 
the  arms  of  the  pale  woman  open,  that  an  Indian  girl  may 
sleep.  When  there  is  silence  in  the  lodges,  when  Conan- 
chet and  his  young  men  lie  down,  then  does  this  pale  woman 
speak.  Sachem,  she  does  not  talk  of  the  battles  of  her  peo- 
ple, nor  of  the  scalps  that  her  warriors  have  taken,  nor  of 


328          Ube  Wept  of 


the  manner  in  which  the  Pequots  and  Mohicans  fear  her 
tribe.  She  does  not  tell  how  a  young  Narragansett  should 
obey  her  husband,  nor  how  the  woman  must  keep  food  in 
the  lodges  for  the  hunters  that  are  wearied  ;  her  tongue 
useth  strange  words.  It  names  a  mighty  and  just  Spirit, 
it  telleth  of  peace  and  not  of  war  ;  it  soundeth  as  one  talk- 
ing from  the  clouds  ;  it  is  like  the  falling  of  the  water 
among  rocks.  Narra-mattah  loves  to  listen,  for  the  words 
seem  to  her  like  the  Wish-Ton-Wish,  when  he  whistles  in 
the  woods." 

Conanchet  had  fastened  a  look  of  deep  and  affectionate 
interest  on  the  wild  and  sweet  countenance  of  the  being 
who  stood  before  him.  She  had  spoken  in  that  attitude  of 
earnest  and  natural  eloquence  that  no  art  can  equal  ;  and 
when  she  ceased,  he  laid  a  hand,  in  kind  but  melancholy 
fondness,  on  the  half-inclined  and  motionless  head,  as  he 
answered,  — 

"  This  is  the  bird  of  night,  singing  to  its  young  !  The 
Great  Spirit  of  thy  fathers  is  angry,  that  thou  livest  in  the 
lodge  of  a  Narragansett.  His  sight  is  too  cunning  to  be 
cheated.  He  knows  that  the  moccasin,  and  the  wampum, 
and  the  robe  of  fur  are  liars.  He  sees  the  color  of  the  skin 
beneath." 

"Conanchet,  no,"  returned  the  female,  hurriedly,  and 
with  a  decision  her  timidity  did  not  give  reason  to  expect. 
"He  seeth  further  than  the  skin,  and  knoweth  the  color  of 
the  mind.  He  hath  forgotten  that  one  of  his  girls  is  miss- 
ing.'' 

"It  is  not  so.  The  eagle  of  my  people  was  taken  into 
the  lodges  of  the  pale-faces.  He  was  young,  and  they 
taught  him  to  sing  with  another  tongue.  The  colors  of  his 
feathers  were  changed,  and  they  thought  to  cheat  the  Mani- 
tou.  But  when  the  door  was  open,  he  spread  his  wings 
and  flew  back  to  his  nest.  It  is  not  so.  What  hath  been 
done  is  good,  and  what  will  be  done  is  better.  Come,  there 
is  a  straight  path  before  us." 

Thus  saying,  Conanchet  motioned  to  his  wife  to  follow 
towards  the  group  of  captives.  The  foregoing  dialogue  had 
occurred  in  a  place  where  two  parties  were  partially  con- 


TOept  ot  Misb*Uon*Wisb          329 


cealed  from  each  other  by  the  ruin  ;  but  as  the  distance 
was  so  trifling,  the  sachem  and  his  companion  were  soon 
confronted  with  those  he  sought.  leaving  his  wife  a  little 
without  the  circle,  Conanchet  advanced,  and  taking  the  un- 
resisting and  half-unconscious  Ruth  by  the  arm,  he  led  her 
forward.  He  placed  the  two  females  in  attitudes  where 
each  might  look  the  other  full  in  the  face.  Strong  emotion 
struggled  in  a  countenance  which,  in  spite  of  its  fierce 
mask  of  war-paint,  could  not  entirely  conceal  its  workings. 

' '  See, ' '  he  said  in  English,  looking  earnestly  from  one  to 
the  other.  ' '  The  Good  Spirit  is  not  ashamed  of  his  work. 
What  He  hath  done,  He  hath  done  ;  Narragansett  nor  Yen- 
geese  can  alter  it.  This  is  the  white  bird  that  came  from  the 
sea,"  he  added,  touching  the  shoulder  of  Ruth  lightly  with 
a  finger,  c  '  and  this  the  young,  that  she  warmed  under  her 
wing. ' ' 

Then,  folding  his  arms  on  his  naked  breast,  he  appeared 
to  summon  his  energy,  lest,  in  the  scene  that  he  knew  must 
follow,  his  manhood  might  be  betrayed  into  some  act  un- 
worthy of  his  name. 

The  captives  were  necessarily  ignorant  of  the  meaning  of 
the  scene  which  they  had  just  witnessed.  So  many  strange 
and  savage-looking  forms  were  constantly  passing  and  re- 
passing  before  their  eyes,  that  the  arrival  of  one  more  or 
less  was  not  likely  to  be  noted.  Until  she  heard  Conanchet 
speak  in  her  native  tongue,  Ruth  had  lent  no  attention  to 
the  interview  between  him  and  his  wife.  But  the  figurative 
language  and  no  less  remarkable  action  of  the  Narragansett 
had  the  effect  to  arouse  her  suddenly,  and  in  the  most  exciting 
manner,  from  her  melancholy. 

No  child  of  tender  age  ever  unexpectedly  came  before 
the  eyes  of  Ruth  Heathcote,  without  painfully  recalling  the 
image  of  the  cherub  she  had  lost.  The  playful  voice  of 
infancy  never  surprised  her  ear,  without  the  sound  convey- 
ing a  pang  to  the  heart  ;  nor  could  allusion,  ever  so  remote, 
be  made  to  persons  or  events  that  bore  resemblance  to  the 
sad  incidents  of  her  own  life,  without  quickening  the  never 
dying  pulses  of  maternal  love.  I<Jo  wonder,  then,  that  when 
she  found  herself  in  the  situation  and  under  the  circunv 


330          Ube  ITClept  of 


stances  described,  nature  grew  strong  within  her,  and  that 
her  mind  caught  glimpses,  however  dim  and  indistinct  they 
might  be,  of  a  truth  that  the  reader  has  already  anticipated. 
Still,  a  certain  and  intelligible  clue  was  wanting.  Fancy 
had  ever  painted  her  child  in  the  innocence  and  infancy  in 
which  it  had  been  torn  from  her  arms  ;  and  here,  while 
there  was  so  much  to  correspond  with  reasonable  expecta- 
tion, there  was  little  to  answer  to  the  long  and  fondly  cher- 
ished picture.  The  delusion,  if  so  holy  and  natural  a  feeling 
may  thus  be  termed,  had  been  too  deeply  seated  to  be  dis- 
possessed at  a  glance.  Gazing  long,  earnestly,  and  with 
features  that  varied  with  every  changing  feeling,  she  held 
the  stranger  at  the  length  of  her  two  arms,  alike  unwilling 
to  release  her  hold,  or  to  admit  her  closer  to  a  heart  which 
might  rightfully  be  the  property  of  another. 

"  Who  art  thou  ?  "  demanded  the  mother,  in  a  voice  that 
was  tremulous  with  the  emotions  of  that  sacred  character. 
11  Speak,  mysterious  and  lovely  being  !  who  art  thou  ?  " 

Narra-mattah  had  turned  a  terrified  and  imploring  look 
at  the  immovable  and  calm  form  of  the  chief,  as  if  she 
sought  protection  from  him  at  whose  hands  she  had  been 
accustomed  to  receive  it.  But  a  different  sensation  took 
possession  of  her  mind,  when  she  heard  sounds  which  had 
too  often  soothed  the  ear  of  infancy  ever  to  be  forgotten. 
Struggling  ceased,  and  her  pliant  form  assumed  the  attitude 
of  intense  and  entranced  attention.  Her  head  was  bent 
aside,  as  if  the  ear  were  eager  to  drink  in  a  repetition  of  the 
tones,  while  her  bewildered  and  delighted  eye  still  sought 
the  countenance  of  her  husband. 

1  '  Vision  of  the  woods  !  wilt  thou  not  answer  ?  '  '  continued 
Ruth.  '  '  If  there  is  reverence  for  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  in 
thine  heart,  answer,  that  I  may  know  thee  !  '  ' 

'  '  Hist  !  Conanchet  !  '  '  murmured  the  wife,  over  whose 
features  the  glow  of  pleased  and  wild  surprise  continued  to 
deepen.  '  '  Come  near,  sachem  ;  the  spirit  that  talketh  to 
Narra-mattah  in  her  dreams  is  nigh." 

'  '  Woman  of  the  Yengeese  !  '  '  said  the  husband,  advanc- 
ing with  dignity  to  the  spot,  '  '  let  the  clouds  blow  from  thy 
sight.  Wife  of  a  Narragansett  !  see  clearly.  The  Manitou 


tlbe  TKttept  of  Wisb^on*Wteb          331 

of  your  race  speaks  strong.     He  telleth  a  mother  to  know 
her  child!" 

Ruth  could  hesitate  no  longer ;  neither  sound  nor  excla- 
mation escaped  her,  but  as  she  strained  the  yielding  frame 
of  her  recovered  daughter  to  her  heart  it  appeared  as  if  she 
strove  to  incorporate  the  two  bodies  into  one.  A  cry  of 
pleasure  and  astonishment  drew  all  around  her.  Then  came 
the  evidence  of  the  power  of  nature  when  strongly  awakened. 
Age  and  youth  alike  acknowledge  its  potency,  and  recent 
alarms  were  overlooked  in  the  pure  joy  of  such  a  moment. 
The  spirit  of  even  the  lofty-minded  Conanchet  was  shaken. 
Raising  the  hand,  at  whose  wrist  still  hung  the  bloody  toma- 
hawk, he  veiled  his  face,  and  turning  aside,  that  none  might 
see  the  weakness  of  so  great  a  warrior,  he  wept. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

"  One  sees  more  devils  than  vast  hell  can  hold  ; 
That  is  the  madman." 

Midsummer  Night's  Dream. 

ON  quitting  the  hill  Philip  had  summoned  his  Wampa- 
noags,  and  supported  by  the  obedient  and  fierce 
Annawon,  a  savage  that  might,  under  better  aus- 
pices, have  proved  a  worthy  lieutenant  to  Caesar, 
he  left  the  fields  of  Wish-Ton-Wish.  Accustomed  to  see 
these  sudden  outbreakings  of  temper  in  their  leaders,  the 
followers  of  Conanchet,  who  would  have  preserved  their  air 
of  composure  under  far  more  trying  circumstances,  saw  him 
depart  equally  without  question  and  without  alarm.  But 
when  their  own  sachem  appeared  on  the  ground,  which  was 
still  red  with  the  blood  of  the  combatants,  and  made  known 
his  intention  to  abandon  a  conquest  that  seemed  more  than 
half  achieved,  he  was  not  heard  without  murmuring.  The 
authority  of  an  Indian  chief  is  far  from  despotic,  and  though 
there  is  reason  to  think  it  is  often  aided,  if  not  generated,  by 
the  accidental  causes  of  birth  and  descent,  it  receives  its 
main  support  in  the  personal  qualities  of  him  who  rules. 
Happily  for  the  Narragansett  leader,  even  his  renowned 
father,  the  hapless  Miantonimoh,  had  not  purchased  a 
higher  name  for  wisdom  or  for  daring  than  that  which  had 
been  fairly  won  by  his  still  youthful  son.  The  savage 
humors  and  the  rankling  desire  for  vengeance  in  the  boldest 
of  his  subalterns  were  made  to  quail  before  the  menacing 
glances  of  an  eye  that  seldom  threatened  without  perform- 
ance ;  nor  was  there  one  of  them  all,  when  challenged  to 
come  forth  to  brave  the  anger  or  to  oppose  the  eloquence  of 


TKftept  of  TKUfsb^on^Misb          333 


his  chief,  who  did  not  shrink  from  a  contest  which  habitual 
respect  had  taught  them  to  believe  would  be  far  too  un- 
equal for  success.  Within  less  than  an  hour  after  Ruth  had 
clasped  her  child  to  her  bosom  the  invaders  had  altogether 
disappeared.  The  dead  of  their  party  were  withdrawn  and 
concealed  with  all  the  usual  care,  in  order  that  no  scalp  of 
a  warrior  might  be  left  in  the  hands  of  his  enemies. 

It  was  not  unusual  for  the  Indians  to  retire  satisfied  with 
the  results  of  their  first  blow.  So  much  of  their  military 
success  was  dependent  on  surprise,  that  it  oftener  happened 
the  retreat  commenced  with  its  failure,  than  that  victory 
was  obtained  by  perseverance. 

So  long  as  the  battle  raged,  their  courage  was  equal  to  all 
its  dangers ;  but  among  people  who  made  so  great  a  merit 
of  artifice,  it  is  not  at  all  surprising  that  they  seldom  put 
more  to  the  hazard  than  was  justified  by  the  most  severe 
discretion.  When  it  was  known,  therefore,  that  the  foe  had 
disappeared  in  the  forest,  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  were 
more  ready  to  believe  the  movement  was  the  result  of  their 
own  manful  resistance,  than  to  seek  motives  that  might  not 
prove  so  soothing  to  their  self-esteem.  The  retreat  was 
thought  to  be  quite  in  rule,  and  though  prudence  forbade 
pursuit,  able  and  well-limbed  scouts  were  sent  on  their  trail, 
as  well  to  prevent  a  renewal  of  the  surprise,  as  to  enable  the 
forces  of  the  colony  to  know  the  tribe  of  their  enemies  and 
the  direction  which  they  had  taken. 

Then  came  a  scene  of  solemn  ceremonies  and  of  deep 
affliction.  Though  the  parties  led  by  Dudley  and  the  lieu- 
tenant had  been  so  fortunate  as  to  escape  with  a  few  imma- 
terial wounds,  the  soldiers  headed  by  Content,  with  the 
exception  of  those  already  named,  had  fallen  to  a  man. 
Death  had  struck,  at  a  blow,  twenty  of  the  most  efficient 
individuals,  out  of  that  isolated  and  simple  community. 
Under  circumstances  in  which  victory  was  so  barren  and  so 
dearly  bought,  sorrow  was  a  feeling  far  stronger  than  re- 
joicing. Exultation  took  the  aspect  of  humility,  and  while 
men  were  conscious  of  their  well-deserving,  they  were  the 
more  sensible  of  their  dependence  on  a  power  they  could 
neither  influence  nor  comprehend.  The  characteristic  opin- 


334          TOe  Wept  of 


ions  of  the  religionists  became  still  more  exalted,  and  the 
close  of  the  day  was  quite  as  remarkable  for  an  exhibition 
of  the  peculiarly  exaggerated  impressions  of  the  colonists, 
as  its  opening  had  been  frightful  in  violence  and  blood. 

When  one  of  the  more  active  of  the  runners  returned  with 
the  news  that  the  Indians  had  retired  through  the  forest  with 
a  broad  trail,  a  sure  sign  that  they  meditated  no  further  con- 
cealment near  the  valley,  and  that  they  had  already  been 
traced  many  miles  on  their  retreat,  the  villagers  returned  to 
their  usual  habitations.  The  dead  were  then  distributed 
among  those  who  claimed  the  nearest  right  to  the  perform- 
ance of  the  last  duties  of  affection  ;  and  it  might  have  been 
truly  said,  that  mourning  had  taken  up  its  abode  in  nearly 
every  dwelling.  The  ties  of  blood  were  so  general  in  a 
society  thus  limited,  and,  where  they  failed,  the  charities  of 
life  were  so  intimate  and  so  natural,  that  not  an  individual 
of  them  all  escaped,  without  feeling  that  the  events  of  the 
day  had  robbed  him,  forever,  of  some  one  on  whom  he  was 
partially  dependent  for  comfort  or  happiness. 

As  the  day  drew  towards  its  close,  the  little  bell  again 
summoned  the  congregation  to  the  church.  On  this  solemn 
occasion,  but  few  of  those  who  still  lived  to  hear  its  sounds 
were  absent.  The  moment  when  Meek  arose  for  prayer  was 
one  of  general  and  intense  feeling.  The  places  so  lately 
occupied  by  those  who  had  fallen  were  now  empty,  and  they 
resembled  so  many  eloquent  blanks  in  the  description  of 
what  had  passed,  expressing  far  more  than  any  language 
could  impart.  The  appeal  of  the  divine  was  in  his  usual 
strain  of  sublimated  piety,  mysterious  insights  into  the 
hidden  purposes  of  Providence  being  strangely  blended  with 
the  more  intelligible  wants  and  passions  of  man.  While  he 
gave  Heaven  the  glory  of  the  victory,  he  spoke  with  a  lofty 
and  pretending  humility  of  the  instruments  of  its  power  ; 
and  although  seemingly  willing  to  acknowledge  that  his 
people  abundantly  deserved  the  heavy  blow  which  had 
alighted  on  them,  there  was  an  evident  impatience  of  the 
agents  by  which  it  had  been  inflicted.  The  principles  of  the 
sectarian  were  so  singularly  qualified  by  the  feelings  of  the 
borderer,  that  one  subtle  in  argument  would  have  found 


Ube  Wept  of  Wiisb*Uon*Wiisb          335 

little  difficulty  in  detecting  flaws  in  the  reasoning  of  this 
zealot ;  but  as  so  much  was  obscured  by  metaphysical  mists, 
and  so  much  was  left  for  the  generalities  of  doctrine,  his 
hearers,  without  an  exception,  made  such  an  application  of 
what  he  uttered,  as  apparently  rendered  every  mind  satis- 
fied. 

The  sermon  was  as  extemporaneous  as  the  prayer,  if 
anything  can  come  extempore  from  a  mind  so  drilled  and 
fortified  in  opinion.  It  contained  much  the  same  matter, 
delivered  a  little  less  in  the  form  of  an  apostrophe.  The 
stricken  congregation,  while  they  were  encouraged  with  the 
belief  that  they  were  vessels  set  apart  for  some  great  and 
glorious  end  of  Providence,  were  plainly  told  that  they 
merited  far  heavier  affliction  than  this  which  had  now  be- 
fallen ;  and  they  were  reminded  that  it  was  their  duty  to 
desire  even  condemnation,  that  He  who  framed  the  heavens 
and  the  earth  might  be  glorified  !  Then  they  heard  com- 
fortable conclusions,  which  might  reasonably  teach  them  to 
expect,  that  though  in  the  abstract  such  were  the  obliga- 
tions of  the  real  Christian,  there  was  good  reason  to  think 
that  all  who  listened  to  doctrines  so  pure  would  be  remeni' 
bered  with  an  especial  favor. 

So  useful  a  servant  of  the  temple  as  Meek  Wolfe  did 
not  forget  the  practical  application  of  his  subject.  It  is 
true  that  no  visible  emblem  of  the  cross  was  shown  to  ex- 
cite his  hearers,  nor  were  they  stimulated  to  loosen  blood- 
hounds on  the  trail  of  their  enemies ;  but  the  former  was 
kept  sufficiently  before  the  mind's  eye  by  constant  allusions 
to  its  merits,  and  the  Indians  were  pointed  at  as  the  instru- 
ments by  which  the  great  father  of  evil  hoped  to  prevent 
"  the  wilderness  from  blossoming  like  the  rose,"  and  "yield- 
ing the  sweet  savors  of  godliness."  Philip  and  Conanchet 
were  openly  denounced  by  name  ;  some  dark  insinuations 
being  made  that  the  person  of  the  former  was  no  more 
than  the  favorite  tenement  of  Moloch  ;  while  the  hearer 
was  left  to  devise  a  suitable  spirit  for  the  government  of 
the  physical  powers  of  the  other,  from  among  any  of  the 
more  evil  agencies  that  were  na^med  in  the  Bible.  Any 
doubts  of  the  lawfulness  of  the  contest,  that  might  assail 


336          Ube  Mept  of 


tender  consciences,  were  brushed  away  by  a  bold  and  de- 
cided hand.  There  was  no  attempt  at  justification,  how- 
ever ;  for  all  difficulties  of  this  nature  were  resolved  by  the 
imperative  obligations  of  duty.  A  few  ingenious  allusions 
to  the  manner  in  which  the  Israelites  dispossessed  the  occu- 
pants of  Judea  were  of  great  service  in  this  particular  part 
of  the  subject,  since  it  was  not  difficult  to  convince  men, 
who  so  strongly  felt  the  impulses  of  religious  excitement, 
that  they  were  stimulated  rightfully.  Fortified  by  this 
advantage,  Mr.  Wolfe  manifested  no  desire  to  avoid  the 
main  question.  He  affirmed  that  if  the  empire  of  the  true 
faith  could  be  established  by  no  other  means,  a  circum- 
stance which  he  assumed  it  was  sufficiently  apparent  to  all 
understandings  could  not  be  done,  he  pronounced  it  the 
duty  of  young  and  old,  the  weak  and  the  strong,  to  unite 
in  assisting  to  visit  the  former  possessors  of  the  country 
with  what  he  termed  the  wrath  of  an  offended  Deity.  He 
spoke  of  the  fearful  slaughter  of  the  preceding  winter,  in 
which  neither  years  nor  sex  had  been  spared,  as  a  triumph 
of  the  righteous  cause,  and  as  an  encouragement  to  per- 
severe. Then,  by  a  transition  that  was  not  extraordinary 
in  an  age  so  remarkable  for  religious  subtleties,  Meek  re- 
turned to  the  more  mild  and  obvious  truths  which  pervade 
the  doctrines  of  Him  whose  church  he  professed  to  uphold. 
His  hearers  were  admonished  to  observe  lives  of  humility 
and  charity,  and  were  piously  dismissed,  with  his  benedic- 
tion, to  their  several  homes. 

The  congregation  quitted  the  building  with  the  feelings  of 
men  who  thought  themselves  favored  by  peculiar  and  ex- 
traordinary intelligences  with  the  author  of  all  truth,  while 
the  army  of  Mahomet  itself  was  scarcely  less  influenced  by 
fanaticism  than  these  blinded  zealots.  There  was  something 
so  grateful  to  human  frailty  in  reconciling  their  resentments 
and  their  temporal  interests  to  their  religious  duties,  that  it 
should  excite  little  wonder  when  we  add  that  most  of  them 
were  fully  prepared  to  become  ministers  of  vengeance  in  the 
hands  of  any  bold  leader.  While  the  inhabitants  of  the  set- 
tlement were  thus  struggling  between  passions  so  contradic- 
tory, the  shades  of  evening  gradually  fell  upon  their  village, 


Ube  Wept  of  TOsb^fton^Mteb          337 

and  then  came  darkness,  with  the  rapid  strides  with  which 
it  follows  the  setting  of  the  sun  in  a  low  latitude. 

Some  time  before  the  shadows  of  the  trees  were  getting 
the  grotesque  and  exaggerated  forms  which  precede  the  last 
rays  of  the  luminary,  and  while  the  people  were  still  listen- 
ing to  their  pastor,  a  solitary  individual  was  placed  on  a 
giddy  eyrie,  whence  he  might  note  the  movements  of  those 
who  dwelt  in  the  hamlet,  without  being  the  subject  of  obser- 
vation himself.  A  short  spur  of  the  mountain  projected 
into  the  valley,  on  the  side  nearest  to  the  dwelling  of  the 
Heathcotes.  A  little  tumbling  brook,  which  the  melting  of 
the  snows  and  the  occasional  heavy  rains  of  the  climate 
periodically  increased  into  a  torrent,  had  worn  a  deep  ra- 
vine in  its  rocky  bosom.  Time  and  the  constant  action  of 
water,  aided  by  the  driving  storms  of  winter  and  autumn, 
had  converted  many  of  the  different  faces  of  this  ravine  into 
wild-looking  pictures  of  the  residences  of  men.  There  was, 
however,  one  spot  in  particular,  around  which  a  closer  in- 
spection than  that  which  the  distance  of  the  houses  in  the 
settlement  offered,  might  have  detected  far  more  plausible 
signs  of  the  agency  of  human  hands,  than  any  that  were 
afforded  by  the  fancied  resemblances  of  fantastic  angles  and 
accidental  formations. 

Precisely  at  that  point  where  a  sweep  of  the  mountain 
permitted  the  best  view  of  the  valley,  did  the  rocks  assume 
the  wildest,  the  most  confused,  and  consequently  the  most 
favorable  appearance  for  the  construction  of  any  residence 
which  it  was  desirable  should  escape  the  curious  eyes  of  the 
settlers,  at  the  same  time  that  it  possessed  the  advantage  of 
overlooking  their  proceedings.  A  hermit  would  have  chosen 
the  place  as  a  spot  suited  to  distant  and  calm  observation 
of  the  world,  while  it  was  every  way  adapted  to  solitary 
reflection  and  ascetic  devotion.  All  who  have  journeyed 
through  the  narrow  and  water-worn  vineyards  and  meadows 
which  are  washed  by  the  Rhone,  ere  that  river  pours  its 
tribute  into  the  Lake  of  Iceman,  have  seen  some  such  site, 
occupied  by  one  who  has  devoted  his  life  to  seclusion  and 
the  altar,  overhanging  the  village  of  St.  Maurice,  in  the 
Canton  of  le  Valais.  But  there  is  an  air  of  obtrusiveness 


338          Ube  Mept  of 


in  the  Swiss  hermitage  that  did  not  belong  to  the  place  of 
which  we  write,  since  the  one  is  perched  upon  its  high  and 
narrow  ledge,  as  if  to  show  the  world  in  what  dangerous 
and  circumscribed  limits  God  may  be  worshipped  ;  while 
the  other  sought  exemption  from  absolute  solitude,  while  it 
courted  secrecy  with  the  most  jealous  caution.  A  small  hut 
had  been  erected  against  a  side  of  the  rock,  in  a  manner 
that  presented  an  oblique  angle.  Care  had  been  taken  to 
surround  it  with  such  natural  objects  as  left  little  reason  to 
apprehend  that  its  real  character  could  be  known  by  any 
who  did  not  absolutely  mount  to  the  difficult  shelf  on  which 
it  stood.  L,ight  entered  into  this  primitive  and  humble 
abode  by  a  window  that  looked  into  the  ravine,  and  a  low 
door  opened  on  the  side  next  the  valley.  The  construction 
was  partly  of  stone  and  partly  of  logs,  with  a  roof  of  bark 
and  a  chimney  of  mud  and  sticks. 

One  who,  by  his  severe  and  gloomy  brow,  was  a  fit  pos- 
sessor of  so  secluded  a  tenement,  was,  at  the  hour  named, 
seated  on  a  stone  at  the  most  salient  angle  of  the  mountain, 
and  at  the  place  where  the  eye  commanded  the  widest  and 
least  obstructed  view  of  the  abodes  of  man  in  the  distance. 
Stones  had  been  rolled  together  in  a  manner  to  form  a  lit- 
tle breastwork  in  his  front,  so  that  had  there  been  any  wan- 
dering gaze  sweeping  over  the  face  of  the  mountain,  it  was 
far  from  probable  that  it  would  have  detected  the  presence 
of  a  man  whose  whole  form,  with  the  exception  of  the 
superior  parts,  was  so  effectually  concealed. 

It  would  have  been  difficult  to  say  whether  this  secluded 
being  had  thus  placed  himself  in  order  to  indulge  in  some 
habitual  and  fancied  communication  with  the  little  world 
of  the  valley,  or  whether  he  sat  at  his  post  in  watchfulness. 
There  was  an  appearance  of  each  of  these  occupations  in 
his  air  ;  for  a  time  his  eye  was  melancholy  and  softened,  as 
if  his  spirit  found  pleasure  in  the  charities  natural  to  the 
species  ;  and  at  others,  the  brows  contracted  with  sternness, 
while  the  lips  became  more  than  usually  compressed,  like 
those  of  a  man  who  drew  himself  on  his  own  innate  resolu- 
tion for  support. 

The  solitude  of  the  place,  the  air  of  universal  quiet  which 


TTbe  Wept  of  KHtsb*Tron*KHt8b          339 

reigned  above,  the  boundless  leafy  carpet  over  which  the 
eye  looked  from  that  elevated  point,  and  the  breathing  still- 
ness of  the  bosom  of  the  woods,  united  to  give  grandeur  to 
the  scene.  The  figure  of  the  tenant  of  the  ravine  was  as 
immovable  as  any  other  object  of  the  view.  It  seemed,  in 
all  but  color  and  expression,  of  stone.  An  elbow  was  lean- 
ing on  the  little  screen  in  front,  and  the  head  was  supported 
by  a  hand.  At  the  distance  of  an  arrow's  flight,  the  eye 
might  readily  have  supposed  it  no  more  than  another  of  the 
accidental  imitations  which  had  been  worn  in  the  rock  by 
the  changes  of  centuries.  An  hour  passed,  and  scarce  a 
limb  had  been  changed  or  a  muscle  relieved.  Either  con- 
templation, or  the  patient  awaiting  of  some  looked-for 
event,  appeared  to  suspend  the  ordinary  functions  of  life. 
At  length  an  interruption  occurred  to  this  extraordinary  in- 
action. A  rustling,  not  louder  than  that  which  would  have 
been  made  by  the  leap  of  a  squirrel,  was  first  heard  in  the 
bushes  above.  It  was  succeeded  by  a  crackling  of  branches, 
and  then  a  fragment  of  rock  came  bounding  down  the  preci- 
pice, until  it  shot  over  the  head  of  the  still  motionless  her- 
mit, and  fell,  with  a  noise  that  drew  a  succession  of  echoes 
from  the  caverns  of  the  place,  into  the  ravine  beneath. 

Notwithstanding  the  suddenness  of  this  interruption,  and 
the  extraordinary  fracas  with  which  it  was  accompanied,  he 
who  might  be  supposed  to  be  most  affected  by  it  manifested 
none  of  the  usual  symptoms  of  fear  or  surprise.  He  listened 
intently  until  the  last  sound  had  died  away,  but  it  was  with 
expectation  rather  than  with  alarm.  Arising  slowly,  he 
looked  warily  about  him,  and  then  walking  with  a  quick 
step  along  the  ledge  which  led  to  his  hut,  he  disappeared 
through  its  door.  In  another  minute,  however,  he  was 
again  seen  at  his  former  post,  a  short  carabine,  such  as  was 
then  used  by  mounted  warriors,  lying  across  his  knee.  If 
doubt  or  perplexity  beset  the  mind  of  this  individual  at  so 
palpable  a  sign  that  the  solitude  he  courted  was  in  danger 
of  being  interrupted,  it  was  not  of  a  nature  sufficiently 
strong  to  disturb  the  equanimity  of  his  aspect.  A  second 
time  the  branches  rustled,  and  the.sounds  proceeded  from  a 
lower  part  of  the  precipice,  as  if  the  foot  that  caused  the 


340          Ube  IKHept  of 


disturbance  was  in  the  act  of  descending.  Though  no  one 
was  visible,  the  nature  of  the  noise  could  no  longer  be  mis- 
taken. It  was  evidently  the  tread  of  a  human  foot  ;  for  no 
beast  of  a  weight  sufficient  to  produce  so  great  an  impres- 
sion would  have  chosen  to  rove  across  a  spot  where  the  sup- 
port of  hands  was  nearly  as  necessary  as  that  of  the  other 
limbs. 

'  '  Come  forward  !  '  '  said  he  who  in  all  but  the  accessories 
of  dress  and  hostile  preparation  might  so  well  be  termed  a 
hermit,  "  I  am  already  here." 

The  words  were  not  given  to  the  air,  for  one  suddenly 
appeared  on  the  ledge  at  the  side  next  the  settlement,  and 
within  twenty  feet  of  the  speaker.  When  glance  met 
glance,  the  surprise  which  evidently  took  possession  of  the 
intruder  and  of  him  who  appeared  to  claim  a  better  right  to 
be  where  they  met,  seemed  mutual.  The  carabine  of  the 
latter,  and  a  musket  carried  by  the  former,  fell  into  the 
dangerous  line  of  aim  at  the  same  instant,  and  in  a  moment 
they  were  thrown  upwards  again,  as  if  a  common  impulse 
controlled  them.  The  resident  signed  to  the  other  to  draw 
nigher,  and  then  every  appearance  of  hostility  disappeared 
in  that  sort  of  familiarity  which  confidence  begets. 

"How  is  it,"  said  the  former  to  his  guest,  when  both 
were  calmly  seated  behind  the  little  screen  of  stones,  '  '  that 
thou  hast  fallen  upon  the  secret  place?  The  foot  of 
stranger  hath  not  often  trod  these  rocks,  and  no  man  before 
thee  hath  ever  descended  the  precipice.  '  ' 

1  '  A  moccasin  is  sure,  '  '  returned  the  other  with  Indian 
brevity.  "  My  father  hath  a  good  eye.  He  can  see  very 
far  from  the  door  of  his  lodge.  '  ' 

'  '  Thou  knowest  that  the  men  of  my  color  speak  often  to 
their  Great  Spirit,  and  they  do  not  love  to  ask  his  favor  in 
the  highways.  This  place  is  sacred  to  his  holy  name.  '  ' 

The  intruder  was  the  young  Sachem  of  the  Narragan- 
setts,  and  he  who,  notwithstanding  this  plausible  apology,  so 
palpably  sought  secrecy  rather  than  solitude,  was  the  man 
that  has  so  often  been  introduced  into  these  pages  under  the 
shade  of  mystery.  The  instant  recognition  and  the  mutual 
confidence  require  no  further  explanation,  since  enough  has 


Mept  of  Misb^orWlKIlfsb          341 

already  been  developed  in  the  course  of  the  narrative,  to 
show  that  they  were  no  strangers  to  each  other.  Still  the 
meeting  had  not  taken  place  without  uneasiness  on  the  one 
part,  and  great  though  admirably  veiled  surprise  on  the 
other.  As  became  his  high  station  and  lofty  character,  the 
bearing  of  Conanchet  betrayed  none  of  the  littleness  of  a 
vulgar  curiosity.  He  met  his  ancient  aquaintance  with  the 
calm  dignity  of  his  rank,  and  it  would  have  been  difficult  for 
the  most  inquiring  eye  to  have  detected  a  wandering  glance, 
a  single  prying  look,  or  any  other  sign  that  he  deemed  the 
place  at  all  extraordinary  for  such  an  interview.  He  lis- 
tened to  the  little  explanation  of  the  other  with  grave  cour- 
tesy, and  suffered  a  short  time  to  elapse  before  he  made  any 
reply. 

"The  Manitou  of  the  pale-men,"  he  then  said,  "  should  be 
pleased  with  my  father.  His  words  are  often  in  the  ears  of 
the  Great  Spirit !  The  trees  and  the  rocks  know  them." 

"Like  all  of  a  sinful  and  fallen  race,"  returned  the 
stranger  with  the  severe  air  of  the  age,  * '  I  have  much  need 
of  my  askings.  But  why  dost  thou  think  that  my  voice  is 
so  often  heard  in  this  secret  place  ?  ' ' 

The  finger  of  Conanchet  pointed  to  the  worn  rock  at  his 
feet,  and  his  eye  glanced  furtively  at  the  beaten  path  which 
led  between  the  spot  and  the  door  of  the  lodge. 

1 '  A  Yengeese  hath  a  hard  heel,  but  it  is  softer  than  stone. 
The  hoof  of  the  deer  would  pass  many  times  to  leave  such 
a  trail." 

"Thou  art  quick  of  eye,  Narragansett,  and  yet  thy  judg- 
ment may  be  deceived.  My  tongue  is  not  the  only  one  that 
speaketh  to  the  God  of  my  people." 

The  sachem  bent  his  head  slightly,  in  acquiescence,  as  if 
unwilling  to  press  the  subject.  But  his  companion  was  not 
so  easily  satisfied,  for  he  felt  the  consciousness  of  a  fruitless 
attempt  at  deception  goading  him  to  some  plausible  means 
of  quieting  the  suspicions  of  the  Indian. 

1 '  That  I  am  now  alone  may  be  matter  of  pleasure  or 
of  accident,"  he  added;  "thou  knowest  that  this  hath 
been  a  busy  and  bloody  day  among  the  pale-men,  and 
there  are  dead  and  dying  in  their  lodges.  One  who  hath 


342          TOe  Wept  of 


no  wigwam  of  his  own  may  have  found  time  to  worship  by 
himself." 

'  '  The  mind  is  very  cunning,  '  '  returned  Conanchet  ;  '  '  it 
can  hear  when  the  ear  is  deaf  —  it  can  see  when  the  eye  is 
shut.  My  father  hath  spoken  to  the  Good  Spirit  with  the 
rest  of  his  tribe." 

As  the  chief  concluded,  he  pointed  significantly  towards 
the  distant  church,  out  of  which  the  excited  congregation 
we  have  described  was  at  that  moment  pouring  into  the 
green  and  little-trodden  street  of  the  hamlet.  The  other 
appeared  to  understand  his  meaning,  and  at  the  same  in- 
stant to  feel  the  folly,  as  well  as  the  uselessness,  of  attempt- 
ing any  longer  to  mislead  one  that  already  knew  so  much 
of  his  former  mode  of  life. 

"  Indian,  thou  sayest  true,"  he  rejoined  gloomily;  "the 
mind  seeth  far,  and  it  seeth  often  in  the  bitterness  of  sorrow. 
My  spirit  was  communing  with  the  spirits  of  those  thou 
seest,  when  thy  step  was  first  heard  ;  besides  thine  own,  the 
feet  of  man  never  mounted  to  this  place,  except  it  be  of 
those  who  minister  to  my  bodily  wants.  Thou  sayest  true  ; 
the  mental  sight  is  keen  ;  and  far  beyond  those  distant  hills, 
on  which  the  last  rays  of  the  setting  sun  are  now  shining  so 
gloriously,  doth  mine  often  bear  me  in  spirit.  Thou  wast 
once  my  fellow-lodger,  youth,  and  much  pleasure  had  I  in 
striving  to  open  thy  young  mind  to  the  truths  of  our  race, 
and  to  teach  thee  to  speak  with  the  tongue  of  a  Christian  ; 
but  years  have  passed  away  —  hark  !  There  cometh  one  up 
the  path.  Hast  thou  dread  of  a  Yengeese  ?  " 

The  calm  mien  with  which  Conanchet  had  been  listening 
changed  to  a  cold  smile.  His  hand  had  felt  for  the  lock  of 
his  musket,  some  time  before  his  companion  had  betrayed 
any  consciousness  of  the  approaching  footstep  ;  but  until 
questioned,  no  change  of  countenance  was  visible. 

'  '  Is  my  father  afraid  for  his  friend  ?  "  he  asked,  pointing 
in  the  direction  of  him  who  approached.  *  '  Is  it  an  armed 
warrior  ?  '  ' 

"  No  ;  he  cometh  with  the  means  of  sustaining  a  burden 
that  must  be  borne,  until  it  pleaseth  Him  who  knoweth  what 
is  good  for  all  his  creatures  to  ease  me  of  it.  It  may  be 


Wept  of  Wtsb*Uon*Wisb          343 

the  parent  of  her  thou  hast  this  day  restored  to  her  friends, 
or  it  may  be  the  brother ;  for,  at  times,  I  owe  this  kindness 
to  different  members  of  that  worthy  family." 

A  look  of  intelligence  shot  across  the  swarthy  features  of 
the  chief.  His  decision  appeared  taken.  Arising,  he  left 
his  weapon  at  the  feet  of  his  companion,  and  moved  swiftly 
along  the  ledge,  as  if  to  meet  the  intruder.  In  another 
instant  he  returned,  bearing  a  little  bundle  closely  envel- 
oped in  belts  of  richly-beaded  wampum.  Placing  the  latter 
gently  by  the  side  of  the  old  man,  for  time  had  changed 
the  color  of  the  solitary's  hair  to  gray,  he  said,  in  a  low, 
quick  voice,  pointing  with  significance  at  what  he  had 
done, — 

"The  messenger  will  not  go  back  with  an  empty  hand. 
My  father  is  wise  ;  he  will  say  what  is  good." 

There  was  little  time  for  further  explanation.  The  door 
of  the  hut  had  scarcely  closed  on  Conanchet,  before  Mark 
Heathcote  appeared  at  the  point  where  the  path  bent  around 
the  angle  of  the  precipice. 

"Thou  knowest  what  hath  passed,  and  wilt  suffer  me  to 
depart  with  brief  discourse,"  said  the  young  man,  placing 
food  at  the  feet  of  him  he  came  to  seek  ;  "  ha  !  what  hast 
here  ? — didst  gain  this  in  the  fray  of  the  morning  ? ' ' 

"  It  is  booty  that  I  freely  bestow  ;  take  it  to  the  house  of 
thy  father.  It  is  left  with  that  object.  Now  tell  me  of  the 
manner  in  which  death  hath  dealt  with  our  people,  for  thou 
knowest  that  necessity  drove  me  from  among  them,  so  soon 
as  liberty  was  granted. ' ' 

Mark  showed  no  disposition  to  gratify  the  other's  wish. 
He  gazed  on  the  bundle  of  Conanchet,  as  if  his  eye  had 
never  before  looked  on  a  similar  object,  and  keenly  con- 
tending passions  were  playing  about  a  brow  that  was  seldom 
as  tranquil  as  suited  the  self-denying  habits  of  the  times 
and  country. 

"  It  shall  be  done,  Narragansett  !  "  he  said,  speaking  be- 
tween his  clenched  teeth  ;  *  *  it  shall  be  done  ! ' '  Then  turn- 
ing on  his  heel,  he  stalked  along  the  giddy  path  with  a 
rapidity  of  stride  that  kept  the  qther  in  fearful  suspense  for 
his  safety,  until  his  active  form  had  disappeared. 


344          ^be  Mept  of 


The  recluse  arose  and  sought  the  occupant  of  his  humble 
abode. 

'  '  Come  forth,  '  '  he  said,  opening  the  narrow  door  for  the 
passage  of  the  chief.  *  '  The  youth  hath  departed  with  thy 
burden,  and  thou  art  now  alone  with  an  ancient  associate." 

Conanchet  reappeared  at  the  summons,  but  it  was  with 
an  eye  less  glowing  and  a  brow  less  stern  than  when  he 
entered  the  little  cabin.  As  he  moved  slowly  to  the  stone 
he  had  before  occupied,  his  step  was  arrested  for  a  moment, 
and  a  look  of  melancholy  regret  seemed  to  be  cast  at  the 
spot  where  he  had  laid  the  bundle.  Conquering  his  feelings, 
however,  in  the  habitual  self-command  of  his  people,  he  re- 
sumed his  seat,  with  the  air  of  one  that  was  grave  by  nature, 
while  he  appeared  to  exert  no  effort  in  order  to  preserve  the 
admirable  equanimity  of  his  features.  A  long  and  thought- 
ful silence  succeeded,  and  then  the  solitary  spoke. 

'  *  We  have  made  a  friend  of  the  Narragansett  chief,  '  '  he 
said,  '  (  and  this  league  with  Philip  is  broken  !  '  ' 

11  Yengeese,"  returned  the  other,  "  I  am  full  of  the  blood 
of  sachems." 

"Why  should  the  Indian  and  the  white  do  each  other 
this  violence  ?  The  earth  is  large,  and  there  is  place  for  men 
of  all  colors  and  of  all  nations  on  its  surface." 

"  My  father  hath  found  but  little,"  said  the  other,  bestow- 
ing such  a  cautious  glance  at  the  narrow  limits  of  his  host, 
as  at  once  betrayed  the  sarcastic  purport  of  his  words,  while 
it  equally  bespoke  the  courtesy  of  his  mind. 

"  A  light-minded  and  vain  prince  is  seated  on  the  throne 
of  a  once  godly  nation,  chief,  and  darkness  has  again  come 
over  a  land  which  of  late  shone  with  a  clear  and  shining 
light  !  The  just  are  made  to  flee  from  the  habitations  of 
their  infancy,  and  the  temples  of  the  elect  are  abandoned 
to  the  abominations  of  idolatry.  Oh,  England  !  England  ! 
when  will  thy  cup  of  bitterness  be  full  ?  When  shall  this 
judgment  pass  from  thee?  My  spirit  groaneth  over  thy  fall, 
yea,  my  inmost  soul  is  saddened  with  the  spectacle  of  thy 
misery  !  " 

Conanchet  was  too  delicate  to  regard  the  glazed  eye  and 
flushed  forehead  of  the  speaker,  but  he  listened  in  amaze- 


Ube  TKHept  of  Wii3b*TLon*Wii$b          345 

ment  and  in  ignorance.  Such  expressions  had  often  met 
his  ear  before,  and  though  his  tender  years  had  probably 
prevented  their  producing  much  effect,  now  that  he  again 
heard  them  in  his  manhood,  they  conveyed  no  intelligible 
meaning  to  his  mind.  Suddenly  laying  a  finger  on  the  knee 
of  his  companion,  he  said,— 

"  The  arm  of  my  father  was  raised  on  the  side  of  the  Yen- 
geese  to-day;  yet  they  give  him  no  seat  at  their  council-fire  ! ' ' 

' '  The  sinful  man  who  ruleth  in  the  island  whence  my 
people  came,  hath  an  arm  that  is  long  as  his  mind  is  vain. 
Though  debarred  from  the  councils  of  this  valley,  chief, 
time  hath  been  when  my  voice  was  heard  in  councils  that 
struck  heavily  at  the  power  of  his  race.  These  eyes  have 
seen  justice  done  on  him  who  gave  existence  to  the  double- 
tongued  instrument  of  Belial,  that  now  governeth  a  rich 
and  glorious  realm  !  " 

"  My  father  hath  taken  the  scalp  of  a  great  chief!  " 

"  I  helped  to  take  his  head  !  "  returned  the  solitary,  a  ray 
of  bitter  exultation  gleaming  through  the  habitual  austerity 
of  his  brow. 

''Come  !  The  eagle  flies  above  the  clouds  that  he  may 
move  his  wings  freely.  The  panther  leaps  longest  on  the 
widest  plain  ;  the  biggest  fish  swim  in  the  deep  water.  My 
father  cannot  stretch  himself  between  these  rocks.  He  is 
too  big  to  lie  down  in  a  little  wigwam.  The  woods  are  wide  ; 
let  him  change  the  color  of  his  skin,  and  be  a  gray-head  at 
the  council-fire  of  my  nation.  The  warriors  will  listen  to 
what  he  says,  for  his  hand  hath  done  a  strong  deed  ! ' ' 

"  It  may  not  be — it  may  not  be,  Narragansett.  That 
which  hath  been  generated  in  the  spirit  must  abide,  and  it 
would  be  *  easier  for  the  blackamoor  to  become  white,  or 
for  the  leopard  to  change  his  spots,'  than  for  one  who  hath 
felt  the  power  of  the  Lord  to  cast  aside  his  gifts.  But  I 
meet  thy  proffers  of  amity  in  a  charitable  and  forgiving 
spirit.  My  mind  is  ever  with  my  people  ;  yet  is  there  place 
for  other  friendships.  Break,  then,  this  league  with  the  evil- 
minded  and  turbulent  Philip,  and  let  the  hatchet  be  forever 
buried  in  the  path  between  thy  village  and  the  towns  of  the 
Yengeese. ' ' 


346          Ube  Mept  ot 


'  '  Where  is  my  village  ?  There  is  a  dark  place  near  the 
islands  on  the  shores  of  the  Great  I,ake  ;  but  I  see  no 
lodge." 

11  We  will  rebuild  thy  towns,  and  people  them  anew.  I^et 
there  be  peace  between  us." 

"  My  mind  is  ever  with  my  people,"  returned  the  Indian, 
repeating  the  other's  words  with  an  emphasis  that  could  not 
be  mistaken. 

A  long  and  melancholy  pause  succeeded  ;  and  when  the 
conversation  was  renewed,  it  had  reference  to  those  events 
which  had  taken  place  in  the  fortunes  of  each  since  the 
time  when  they  were  both  tenants  of  the  block-house  that 
stood  amid  the  ancient  habitations  of  the  Heathcotes.  Bach 
appeared  too  well  to  comprehend  the  character  of  the  other 
to  attempt  any  further  efforts  towards  producing  a  change  of 
purpose  ;  and  darkness  had  gathered  about  the  place  before 
they  arose  to  enter  the  hut  of  the  solitary. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

"  Sleep,  thou  hast  been  a  grandsire,  and  begot 
A  father  to  me ;  and  thou  hast  created 
A  mother  and  two  brothers." 

Cymbeline. 

THE  short  twilight  was  already  passed  when  old 
Mark  Heathcote  ended  the  evening  prayer.  The 
mixed  character  of  the  remarkable  events  of  that 
day  had  given  birth  to  a  feeling  which  could  find 
no  other  relief  than  that  which  flowed  from  the  usual  zeal- 
ous, confiding,  and  exalted  outpouring  of  the  spirit.  On 
the  present  occasion  he  had  even  resorted  to  an  extraor- 
dinary, and  what  one  less  devout  might  be  tempted  to  think 
a  supererogatory,  offering  of  thanksgiving  and  praise.  After 
dismissing  the  attendants  of  the  establishment,  supported  by 
the  arm  of  his  son,  he  had  withdrawn  into  an  inner  apart- 
ment, and  there,  surrounded  only  by  those  who  had  the 
nearest  claims  on  his  affections,  the  old  man  again  raised  his 
voice  to  laud  the  Being  who,  in  the  midst  of  so  much  general 
grief,  had  deigned  to  look  upon  his  particular  race  with  the 
eyes  of  remembrance  and  of  favor.  He  spoke  of  his  recov- 
ered grandchild  by  name,  and  he  dealt  with  the  whole  sub- 
ject of  her  captivity  among  the  heathen,  and  her  restoration 
to  the  foot  of  the  altar,  with  the  fervor  of  one  who  saw  the 
wise  decrees  of  Providence  in  the  event,  and  with  the  ten- 
derness of  sentiment  that  age  was  far  from  having  extin- 
guished. It  was  at  the  close  of  this  private  and  peculiar 
worship,  that  we  return  into  the  presence  of  the  family. 

The  spirit  of  reform  had  driven  those  who  so  violently 
felt  its  influence  into  many  usages  that,  to  say  the  least, 
were  quite  as  ungracious  to  the  imagination,  as  the  customs 
they  termed  idolatrous  were  obnoxious  to  the  attacks  of 


348          tTbe  Mept  of 


their  own  unaccommodating  theories.  The  first  Protestants 
had  expelled  so  much  from  the  service  of  the  altar,  that  lit- 
tle was  left  for  the  Puritan  to  destroy,  without  incurring  the 
risk  of  leaving  it  naked  of  its  loveliness.  By  a  strange  sub- 
stitution of  subtlety  for  humility,  it  was  thought  pharisaical 
to  bend  the  knee  in  public,  lest  the  great  essential  of  spiritual 
worship  might  be  supplanted  by  the  more  attainable  merit 
of  formula  ;  and  while  rigid  aspects  and  prescribed  deport- 
ments of  a  new  character  were  observed  with  all  the  zeal  of 
converts,  ancient  and  even  natural  practices  were  condemned 
—  chiefly,  we  believe,  from  that  necessity  of  innovation 
which  appears  to  be  an  unavoidable  attendant  of  all  plans  of 
improvement,  whether  they  are  successful  or  the  reverse. 
But  though  the  Puritans  refused  to  bow  their  stubborn 
limbs  when  the  eye  of  man  was  on  them,  even  while  asking 
boons  suited  to  their  own  sublimated  opinions,  it  was  per- 
mitted to  assume  in  private  an  attitude  which  was  thought 
to  admit  of  so  gross  an  abuse,  inasmuch  as  it  infers  a  claim 
to  a  religious  vitality,  while  in  truth  the  soul  might  only  be 
slumbering  in  the  security  of  mere  moral  pretension. 

On  the  present  occasion,  they  who  worshipped  in  secret 
had  bent  their  bodies  to  the  humblest  posture  of  devotion. 
When  Ruth  Heathcote  arose  from  her  knees,  it  was  with  a 
hand  clasped  in  that  of  the  child  whom  her  recent  devotion 
was  well  suited  to  make  her  think  had  been  rescued  from  a 
condition  far  more  gloomy  than  that  of  the  grave.  She  had 
used  a  gentle  violence  to  force  the  wondering  being  at  her 
side  to  join,  so  far  as  externals  could  go,  in  the  prayer  ;  and 
now  it  was  ended,  she  sought  the  countenance  of  her  daugh- 
ter, in  order  to  read  the  impression  the  scene  had  produced, 
with  all  the  solicitude  of  a  Christian,  heightened  by  the 
tenderest  maternal  love. 

Narra-mattah,  as  we  shall  continue  to  call  her,  in  air, 
expression,  and  attitude,  resembled  one  who  had  a  fancied 
existence  in  the  delusion  of  some  exciting  dream.  Her  ear 
remembered  sounds  which  had  so  often  been  repeated  in  her 
infancy,  and  her  memory  recalled  indistinct  recollections  of 
most  of  the  objects  and  usages  that  were  so  suddenly  re- 
placed before  her  eyes  ;  but  the  former  now  conveyed  their 


Ube  TKHept  of  Mteb*Uon*TKIiisb  349 

meaning  to  a  mind  that  had  gained  its  strength  under  a  very 
different  system  of  theology,  and  the  latter  came  too  late  to 
supplant  usages  that  were  rooted  in  her  affections  by  the  aid 
of  all  those  wild  and  seductive  habits  that  are  known  to  be- 
come nearly  unconquerable  in  those  who  have  long  been 
subject  to  their  influence.  She  stood,  therefore,  in  the  centre 
of  the  grave,  self-restrained  group  of  her  nearest  kin,  like 
an  alien  to  their  blood,  resembling  some  timid  and  but  half- 
tamed  tenant  of  the  air,  that  human  art  had  endeavored  to 
domesticate,  by  placing  it  in  the  society  of  the  more  tranquil 
and  confiding  inhabitants  of  the  aviary. 

Notwithstanding  the  strength  of  her  affections,  and  her 
devotion  to  all  the  natural  duties  of  her  station,  Ruth  Heath- 
cote  was  not  now  to  learn  the  manner  in  which  she  was  to 
subdue  any  violence  in  their  exhibition.  The  first  indul- 
gence of  joy  and  gratitude  was  over,  and  in  its  place  ap- 
peared the  never-tiring,  vigilant,  engrossing,  but  regulated 
watchfulness,  which  the  events  would  naturally  create.  The 
doubts,  misgivings,  and  even  fearful  apprehensions  that 
beset  her,  were  smothered  in  an  appearance  of  satisfaction  ; 
and  something  like  gleamings  of  happiness  were  again  seen 
playing  about  a  brow  that  had  so  long  been  clouded  with 
an  unobtrusive  but  corroding  care. 

' '  And  thou  recallest  thine  infancy,  my  Ruth  ?  "  asked  the 
mother,  when  the  respectful  period  of  silence  which  ever 
succeeded  prayer  in  that  family  was  passed  ;  ' '  thy  thoughts 
have  not  been  altogether  strangers  to  us,  but  nature  hath  had 
its  place  in  thy  heart.  Tell  us,  child,  of  thy  wanderings  in 
the  forest,  and  of  the  sufferings  that  one  so  tender  must  have 
undergone  among  a  barbarous  people.  There  is  pleasure  in 
listening  to  all  thou  hast  seen  and  felt,  now  that  we  know 
there  is  an  end  to  unhappiness. ' ' 

She  spoke  to  an  ear  that  was  deaf  to  language  like  this. 
Narra-mattah  evidently  understood  her  words,  while  their 
meaning  was  wrapped  in  an  obscurity  that  she  was  neither 
desirous  nor  capable  of  comprehending.  Keeping  a  gaze, 
in  which  pleasure  and  wonder  were  powerfully  blended,  on 
that  soft  look  of  affection  which^  beamed  from  her  mother's 
eye,  she  felt  hurriedly  among  the  folds  of  her  dress,  and 


350          TTbe  Wept  of 


drawing  a  belt  that  was  gayly  ornamented  after  the  most 
ingenious  fashion  of  her  adopted  people,  she  approached  her 
half-pleased,  half-distressed  parent,  and  with  hands  that 
trembled  equally  with  timidity  and  pleasure,  she  arranged 
it  around  her  person  in  a  manner  to  show  its  richness  to  the 
best  advantage.  Pleased  with  her  performance,  the  artless 
being  eagerly  sought  approbation  in  eyes  that  bespoke  little 
else  than  regret.  Alarmed  at  an  expression  she  could  not 
translate,  the  gaze  of  Narra-mattah  wandered,  as  if  it  sought 
support  against  some  sensation  to  which  she  was  a  stranger. 
Whittal  Ring  had  stolen  into  the  room,  and  missing  the  cus- 
tomary features  of  her  own  cherished  home,  the  looks  of  the 
startled  creature  rested  on  the  countenance  of  the  witless 
wanderer.  She  pointed  eagerly  at  the  work  of  her  hands, 
appealing  by  an  eloquent  and  artless  gesture  to  the  taste  of 
one  who  should  know  whether  she  had  done  well. 

"Bravely!"  returned  Whittal,  approaching  nearer  to 
the  subject  of  his  admiration  ;  "  't  is  a  brave  belt,  and  none 
but  the  wife  of  a  sachem  could  make  so  rare  a  gift  !  '  ' 

The  girl  folded  her  arms  meekly  on  her  bosom,  and 
again  appeared  satisfied  with  herself  and  with  the  world. 

"  Here  is  the  hand  of  him  visible  who  dealeth  in  all 
wickedness,"  said  the  Puritan.  "To  corrupt  the  heart 
with  vanities,  and  to  mislead  the  affections  by  luring  them 
to  the  things  of  life,  is  the  guile  in  which  he  delighteth. 
A  fallen  nature  lendeth  but  too  ready  aid.  We  must  deal 
with  the  child  in  fervor  and  watchfulness,  or  better  that 
her  bones  were  lying  by  the  side  of  those  little  ones  of  thy 
flock,  who  are  already  inheritors  of  the  promise." 

Respect  kept  Ruth  silent  ;  but  while  she  sorrowed  over 
the  ignorance  of  her  child,  natural  affection  was  strong  at 
her  heart.  With  the  tact  of  a  woman  and  the  tenderness 
of  a  mother,  she  both  saw  and  felt  that  severity  was  not 
the  means  to  effect  the  improvement  they  desired.  Taking 
a  seat  herself,  she  drew  her  child  to  her  person,  and  first 
imploring  silence  by  a  glance  at  those  around  her,  she  pro- 
ceeded, in  a  manner  that  was  dictated  by  the  mysterious 
influence  of  nature,  to  fathom  the  depth  of  her  daughter's 
mind. 


ZTbe  Mept  of  Wisb^UotWlKIUsb          351 

' '  Come  nearer,  Narra-mattah, ' '  she  said,  using  the  name 
to  which  the  other  would  alone  answer.  ' '  Thou  art  still  in 
thy  youth,  my  child ;  but  it  hath  pleased  Him  whose  will 
is  law,  to  have  made  thee  the  witness  of  many  changes  in 
this  varying  life.  Tell  me  if  thou  recallest  the  days  of 
infancy,  and  if  thy  thoughts  ever  returned  to  thy  father's 
house,  during  those  weary  years  thou  wast  kept  from  our 
view  ? ' ' 

Ruth  used  gentle  force  to  draw  her  daughter  nearer 
while  speaking,  and  the  latter  sank  into  that  posture  from 
which  she  had  just  arisen,  kneeling,  as  she  had  often  done 
in  infancy,  at  her  mother's  side.  The  attitude  was  too  full 
of  tender  recollections  not  to  be  grateful,  and  the  half- 
alarmed  being  of  the  forest  was  suffered  to  retain  it  during 
most  of  the  dialogue  that  followed.  But  while  she  was 
thus  obedient  in  person,  by  the  vacancy  or  rather  wonder 
of  an  eye  that  was  so  eloquent  to  express  all  the  emotions 
and  knowledge  of  which  she  was  the  mistress,  Narra-mattah 
plainly  manifested  that  little  more  than  the  endearment  of 
her  mother's  words  and  manner  was  intelligible.  Ruth  saw 
the  meaning  of  her  hesitation,  and  smothering  the  pang  it 
caused,  she  endeavored  to  adapt  her  language  to  the  habits 
of  one  so  artless. 

"  Even  the  gray  heads  of  thy  people  were  once  young," 
she  resumed ;  "  and  they  remember  the  lodges  of  their 
fathers.  Does  my  daughter  ever  think  of  the  time  when 
she  played  among  the  children  of  the  pale-faces  ?  ' ' 

The  attentive  being  at  the  knee  of  Ruth  listened  greedily. 
Her  knowledge  of  the  language  of  her  childhood  had  been 
sufficiently  implanted  before  her  captivity,  and  it  had  been 
too  often  exercised  by  intercourse  with  the  whites,  and 
more  particularly  with  Whittal  Ring,  to  leave  her  in  any 
doubt  of  the  meaning  of  what  she  now  heard.  Stealing  a 
timid  look  over  a  shoulder,  she  sought  the  countenance  of 
Martha,  and  studying  her  lineaments  for  near  a  minute 
with  intense  regard,  she  laughed  aloud  in  the  contagious 
merriment  of  an  Indian  girl. 

4 '  Thou  hast  not  forgotten  us  !  That  glance  at  her  who 
was  the  companion  of  thy  infancy  assures  me,  and  we  shall 


352          Ube  Mept  of 


soon  again  possess  our  Ruth  in  affection  as  we  now  possess 
her  in  the  body.  I  will  not  speak  to  thee  of  that  fearful 
night  when  the  violence  of  the  savage  robbed  us  of  thy 
presence,  nor  of  the  bitter  sorrow  which  beset  us  at  thy 
loss  ;  but  there  is  One  who  must  still  be  known  to  thee,  my 
child  ;  He  who  sitteth  above  the  clouds,  who  holdeth  the 
earth  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand,  and  who  looketh  in  mercy 
on  all  that  journey  on  the  path  to  which  His  own  finger 
pointeth.  Hath  He  yet  a  place  in  thy  thoughts?  Thou 
rememberest  His  holy  name,  and  still  thinkest  of  His 
power  ?  '  ' 

The  listener  bent  her  head  aside,  as  if  to  catch  the  full 
meaning  of  what  she  heard,  the  shadows  of  deep  reverence 
passing  over  a  face  that  had  so  lately  been  smiling.  After 
a  pause  she  audibly  murmured  the  word,  — 

"Manitou." 

"Manitou,  or  Jehovah;  God,  or  King  of  Kings  and 
I^ord  of  Lords  !  it  mattereth  little  which  term  is  used  to 
express  his  power.  Thou  knowest  Him  then,  and  hast 
never  ceased  to  call  upon  his  name  ?  '  ' 

'  '  Narra-mattah  is  a  woman.  She  is  afraid  to  speak  to  the 
Manitou  aloud.  He  knows  the  voices  of  the  chiefs,  and 
opens  his  ears  when  they  ask  help.  '  ' 

The  Puritan  groaned,  but  Ruth  succeeded  in  quelling 
her  own  anguish,  lest  she  should  disturb  the  reviving  con- 
fidence of  her  daughter. 

"  This  may  be  the  Manitou  of  an  Indian,"  she  said, 
"but  it  is  not  the  Christian's  God.  Thou  art  of  a  race 
which  worships  differently,  and  it  is  proper  that  thou 
shouldst  call  on  the  name  of  the  Deity  of  thy  fathers. 
Even  the  Narragansett  teacheth  this  truth  !  Thy  skin  is 
white,  and  thy  ears  should  hearken  to  the  traditions  of  the 
men  of  thy  blood.  '  ' 

The  head  of  the  daughter  drooped  at  this  allusion  to 
her  color,  as  if  she  would  fain  conceal  the  mortifying  truth 
from  every  eye  ;  but  she  had  not  time  for  answer  ere 
Whittal  Ring  drew  near,  and  pointing  to  the  burning  color 
of  her  cheeks,  that  were  deepened  as  much  with  shame  as 
with  the  heats  of  an  American  sun,  he  said,  —  • 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

"Tarry  a  little— there  is  something  else." 

Merchant  of  Venice. 

WE  shift  the  scene.  The  reader  will  transport 
himself  from  the  valley  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish 
to  the  bosom  of  a  deep  and  dark  wood. 

It  may  be  thought  that  such  scenes  have 
been  too  often  described  to  need  any  repetition.  Still,  as  it 
is  possible  that  these  pages  may  fall  into  the  hands  of  some 
who  have  never  quitted  the  older  members  of  the  Union,  we 
shall  endeavor  to  give  them  a  faint  impression  concerning 
the  appearance  of  the  place  to  which  it  has  become  our  duty 
to  transfer  the  action  of  the  tale. 

Although  it  is  certain  that  inanimate,  like  animate  nature, 
has  its  period,  the  existence  of  the  tree  has  no  fixed  and 
common  limit.  The  oak,  the  elm,  and  the  linden,  the 
quick-growing  sycamore  and  the  tall  pine,  has  each  its  own 
laws  for  the  government  of  its  growth,  its  magnitude,  and 
its  duration.  By  this  provision  of  nature,  the  wilderness, 
in  the  midst  of  so  many  successive  changes,  is  always  main- 
tained at  the  point  nearest  to  perfection,  since  the  acces- 
sions are  so  few  and  gradual  as  to  preserve  its  character. 

The  American  forest  exhibits  in  the  highest  degree  the 
grandeur  of  repose.  As  nature  never  does  violence  to  its 
own  laws,  the  soil  throws  out  the  plant  which  it  is  best 
qualified  to  support,  and  the  eye  is  not  often  disappointed 
by  a  sickly  vegetation.  There  ever  seems  a  generous  emu- 
lation in  the  trees,  which  is  not  to  be  found  among  others 
of  different  families,  when  left  to  pursue  their  quiet  exist- 
ence in  the  solitude  of  the  fields.  Each  struggles  towards 

the  light,  and  an  equality  in  bulk  and  a  similarity  in  form 
24 


370  ZTbe  Wept  of 


are  thus  produced,  which  scarce  belong  to  their  distinctive 
characters.  The  effect  may  be  easily  imagined.  The 
vaulted  arches  beneath  are  filled  with  thousands  of  high, 
unbroken  columns,  which  sustain  one  vast  and  trembling 
canopy  of  leaves.  A  pleasing  gloom  and  an  imposing 
silence  have  their  interminable  reign  below,  while  an  outer 
and  another  atmosphere  seems  to  rest  on  the  cloud  of 
foliage. 

While  the  light  plays  on  the  varying  surface  of  the  tree- 
tops,  one  sombre  and  little-  varied  hue  colors  the  earth. 
Dead  and  moss-covered  logs  ;  mounds  covered  with  decom- 
posed vegetable  substances,  the  graves  of  long-past  genera- 
tions of  trees  ;  cavities  left  by  the  fall  of  some  uprooted 
trunk  ;  dark  fungi,  that  flourish  around  the  decayed  roots 
of  those  about  to  lose  their  hold,  with  a  few  slender  and 
delicate  plants  of  a  minor  growth,  and  which  best  succeed 
in  the  shade,  form  the  accompaniments  of  the  lower  scene. 
The  whole  is  tempered,  and  in  summer  rendered  grateful, 
by  a  freshness  which  equals  that  of  the  subterranean  vault, 
without  possessing  any  of  its  chilling  dampness.  In  the 
midst  of  this  gloomy  solitude  the  foot  of  man  is  rarely 
heard.  An  occasional  glimpse  of  the  bounding  deer  or 
trotting  moose  is  almost  the  only  interruption  on  the  earth 
itself;  while  the  heavy  bear  or  leaping  panther  is,  at  long 
intervals,  met  seated  on  the  branches  of  some  venerable 
tree.  There  are  moments,  too,  when  troops  of  hungry 
wolves  are  found  hunting  on  the  trail  of  the  deer  ;  but 
these  are  seen  rather  as  exceptions  to  the  stillness  of  the 
place,  than  as  accessories  that  should  properly  be  introduced 
into  the  picture.  Even  the  birds  are,  in  common,  mute,  or 
when  they  do  break  the  silence,  it  is  in  a  discordance  that 
suits  the  character  of  their  wild  abode. 

Through  such  a  scene  two  men  were  industriously  jour- 
neying on  the  day  which  succeeded  the  inroad  last  described. 
They  marched  as  wont,  one  after  the  other,  the  younger 
and  more  active  leading  the  way  through  the  monotony  of 
the  woods,  as  accurately  and  as  unhesitatingly  as  the 
mariner  directs  his  course  by  the  aid  of  the  needle  over  the 
waste  of  waters.  He  in  front  was  light,  agile,  and  seem- 


ZTbe  OTept  ot  TPdltsb^on^TKIltsb          371 

Ingly  unwearied  ;  while  the  one  who  followed  was  a  man 
of  heavy  mould,  whose  step  denoted  less  practice  in  the 
exercise  of  the  forest,  and  possibly  some  failing  of  natural 
vigor. 

"Thine  eye,  Narragansett,  is  an  unerring  compass  by 
which  to  steer,  and  thy  leg  a  never- wearied  steed, ' '  said  the 
latter,  casting  the  butt  of  his  musket  on  the  end  of  a  mould- 
ering log,  while  he  leaned  on  the  barrel  for  support.  "  If 
thou  movest  on  the  war-path  with  the  same  diligence  as 
thou  usest  in  our  errand  of  peace,  well  may  the  colonists 
dread  thy  enmity. ' ' 

The  other  turned,  and  without  seeking  aid  from  the  gun 
which  rested  against  his  shoulder,  he  pointed  at  the  several 
objects  he  named,  and  answered, — 

* '  My  father  is  this  aged  sycamore ;  it  leans  against  the 
young  oak.  Conanchet  is  a  straight  pine.  There  is  great 
cunning  in  gray  hairs,"  added  the  chief,  stepping  lightly 
forward  until  a  finger  rested  on  the  arm  of  Submission  ; 
' '  can  they  tell  the  time  when  we  shall  lie  under  the  moss 
like  a  dead  hemlock  ?  ' ' 

"That  exceedeth  the  wisdom  of  man.  It  is  enough,  sa- 
chem, if  when  we  fall,  we  may  say  with  truth  that  the  land 
we  shadowed  is  no  poorer  for  our  growth.  Thy  bones  will 
lie  in  the  earth  where  thy  fathers  trod,  but  mine  may  whiten 
in  the  vault  of  some  gloomy  forest." 

The  quiet  of  the  Indian's  face  was  disturbed.  The  pupils 
of  his  dark  eyes  contracted,  his  nostrils  dilated,  and  his  full 
chest  heaved,  and  then  all  reposed  like  the  sluggish  ocean 
after  a  vain  effort  to  heave  its  waters  into  some  swelling 
wave,  during  a  general  calm. 

"  Fire  hath  scorched  the  prints  of  my  father's  moccasins 
from  the  earth,"  he  said,  with  a  smile  that  was  placid 
though  bitter,  "  and  my  eyes  cannot  find  them.  I  shall  die 
under  that  shelter, ' '  pointing  through  an  opening  in  the  foli- 
age to  the  blue  void;  *  'the  falling  leaves  will  cover  my  bones. ' ' 

"  Then  hath  the  I^ord  given  us  a  new  bond  of  friendship. 
There  is  a  yew-tree  and  a  quiet  churchyard  in  a  country 
afar,  where  generations  of  my  race  sleep  in  their  graves. 
The  place  is  white  with  stones  that  bear  the  name  of — " 


372  ttbe  TRUept  of 


Submission  suddenly  ceased  to  speak,  and  when  his  eye 
was  raised  to  that  of  his  companion,  it  was  just  in  time  to 
detect  the  manner  in  which  the  curious  interest  of  the  latter 
changed  suddenly  to  cold  reserve,  and  to  note  the  high 
courtesy  of  the  air  with  which  the  Indian  turned  the  dis- 
course. 

"  There  is  water  beyond  the  little  hill,"  he  said.  "I^t 
my  father  drink  and  grow  stronger,  that  he  may  live  to  lie 
in  the  clearings." 

The  other  bowed,  and  they  proceeded  to  the  spot  in 
silence.  It  would  seem  by  the  length  of  time  that  was  now 
lost  in  taking  the  required  refreshment,  that  the  travellers 
had  journeyed  long  and  far.  The  Narragansett  ate  more 
sparingly,  however,  than  his  companion  ;  for  his  mind 
appeared  to  sustain  a  weight  that  was  far  more  grievous 
than  the  fatigue  which  had  been  endured  by  the  body.  Still 
his  composure  was  little  disturbed  outwardly  —  for  during 
the  silent  repast  he  maintained  the  air  of  a  dignified  warrior, 
rather  than  that  of  a  man  whose  air  could  be  much  affected 
by  inward  sorrow.  When  nature  was  appeased,  they  both 
arose,  and  continued  their  route  through  the  pathless  forest. 

For  an  hour  after  quitting  the  spring,  the  progress  of  our 
two  adventurers  was  swift,  and  uninterrupted  by  any  pass- 
ing observation  or  momentary  pause.  At  the  end  of  that 
time,  however,  the  speed  of  Conanchet  began  to  slacken, 
and  his  eye,  instead  of  maintaining  its  steady  and  forward 
direction,  was  seen  to  wander  with  some  of  the  appearance 
of  indecision. 

'  '  Thou  hast  lost  those  secret  signs  by  which  we  have  so 
far  threaded  the  woods,"  observed  his  companion;  "one 
tree  is  like  another,  and  I  see  no  difference  in  this  wilderness 
of  nature  ;  but  if  thou  art  at  fault,  we  may  truly  despair  of 
our  object." 

"  Here  is  the  nest  of  the  eagle,"  returned  Conanchet, 
pointing  at  the  object  he  named,  perched  on  the  upper  and 
whitened  branches  of  a  dead  pine  ;  '  '  and  my  father  may 
see  the  council-tree  in  this  oak—  but  there  are  no  Wampa- 
noags  !  '  ' 

"There  are  many  eagles  in  this  forest  —  nor  is  that  oak 


Ube  Mept  of  Misb^otWflfllteb          373 

one  that  may  not  have  its  fellow.  Thine  eye  hath  been 
deceived,  sachem,  and  some  false  sign  hath  led  us  astray." 

Conanchet  looked  at  his  companion  attentively.  After 
a  moment,  he  quietly  asked, — 

"  Did  my  father  ever  mistake  his  path,  in  going  from  the 
wigwam  to  the  place  where  he  looked  upon  the  house  of  his 
Great  Spirit  ?" 

"The  matter  of  that  often  travelled  path  was  different, 
Narragansett.  My  foot  had  worn  the  rock  with  many 
passings,  and  the  distance  was  a  span.  But  we  have  jour- 
neyed through  leagues  of  forest,  and  our  route  hath  lain 
across  brook  and  rill,  through  brake  and  morass,  where 
human  vision  hath  not  been  able  to  detect  the  smallest  sign 
of  the  presence  of  man." 

"  My  father  is  old,"  said  the  Indian,  respectfully.  "  His 
eye  is  not  as  quick  as  when  he  took  the  scalp  of  the  Great 
Chief,  or  he  would  know  the  print  of  a  moccasin.  See," 
— making  his  companion  observe  the  mark  of  a  human  foot 
that  was  barely  discernible  by  the  manner  in  which  the  dead 
leaves  had  been  displaced, — "his  rock  is  worn,  but  it  is 
harder  than  the  ground.  He  cannot  tell  by  its  signs  who 
passed,  or  when." 

"  Here  is  truly  that  which  ingenuity  may  portray  as  the 
print  of  man's  foot ;  but  it  is  alone,  and  may  be  some  acci- 
dent of  the  wind." 

'  *  I,et  my  father  look  on  every  side ;  he  will  see  that  a 
tribe  hath  passed." 

' '  This  may  be  true,  though  my  vision  is  unequal  to  de- 
tect that  thou  wouldst  show.  But  if  a  tribe  hath  passed, 
let  us  follow." 

Conanchet  shook  his  head,  and  spread  the  fingers  of  his 
two  hands  in  a  manner  to  describe  the  radii  of  a  circle. 

* c  Hugh  !  "  he  said,  starting  even  while  he  was  thus  sig- 
nificantly answering  by  gestures,  "  a  moccasin  comes  !  " 

Submission,  who  had  so  often  and  so  recently  been  ar- 
rayed against  the  savages,  involuntarily  sought  the  lock  of 
his  carabine.  His  look  and  action  were  menacing,  though 
his  roving  eye  could  see  no  object  to  excite  alarm. 

Not  so    Conanchet.      His   quicker  and  more   practised 


374          TOe  Mept  of 


vision  soon  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  warrior  who  was  ap- 
proaching, occasionally  concealed  by  the  trunks  of  trees, 
and  whose  tread  on  the  dried  leaves  had  first  betrayed  his 
proximity.  Folding  his  arms  on  his  naked  bosom,  the 
Narragansett  chief  awaited  the  coming  of  the  other,  in  an 
attitude  of  calmness  and  dignity.  Neither  did  he  speak 
nor  suffer  a  muscle  to  play,  until  a  hand  was  placed  on 
one  of  his  arms,  and  he  who  had  drawn  near  said,  in  tones 
of  amity  and  respect,  — 

"  The  young  sachem  hath  come  to  look  for  his  brother?  " 

"  Wampanoag,  I  have  followed  the  trail,  that  your  ears 
may  listen  to  the  talk  of  a  pale-face." 

The  third  person  in  this  interview  was  Metacom.  He 
shot  a  haughty  and  fierce  glance  at  the  stranger,  and  then 
turned  to  his  companion  in  arms,  with  recovered  calmness, 
to  reply. 

"Has  Conanchet  counted  his  young  men  since  they 
raised  the  whoop  ?  "  he  asked,  in  the  language  of  the  abo- 
rigines. '  '  I  saw  many  go  into  the  fields,  that  never  came 
back.  Let  the  white  man  die." 

'  '  Wampanoag,  he  is  led  by  the  wampum  of  a  sachem. 
I  have  not  counted  my  young  men  ;  but  I  know  that  they 
are  strong  enough  to  say  that  what  their  chief  hath  prom- 
ised shall  be  done.  '  ' 

"  If  the  Yengeese  is  a  friend  to  my  brother,  he  is  wel- 
come. The  wigwam  of  Metacom  is  open  ;  let  him  enter 
it." 

Philip  made  a  sign  for  the  others  to  follow,  and  led  the 
way  to  the  place  he  had  named. 

The  spot  chosen  by  Philip  for  his  temporary  encamp- 
ment was  suited  to  such  a  purpose.  There  was  a  thicket 
denser  than  common  on  one  of  its  sides  —  a  steep  and  high 
rock  protected  and  sheltered  its  rear  ;  a  swift  and  wide 
brook  dashed  over  fragments  that  had  fallen,  with  time, 
from  the  precipice  in  its  front,  and  towards  the  setting  sun 
a  whirlwind  had  opened  a  long  and  melancholy  glade 
through  the  forest.  A  few  huts  of  brush  leaned  against 
the  base  of  the  hill,  and  the  scanty  implements  of  their 
domestic  economy  were  scattered  among  the  habitations  of 


ZTbe  Mept  of  Wi6b*aotWlKIUsb  375 

the  savages.  The  whole  party  did  not  number  twenty  ; 
for,  as  has  been  said,  the  Wampanoag  had  acted  latterly 
more  by  the  agency  of  his  allies,  than  with  the  materials  of 
his  own  proper  force. 

The  three  were  soon  seated  on  a  rock  whose  foot  was 
washed  by  the  rapid  current  of  the  tumbling  water.  A 
fewr  gloomy -looking  and  fierce  Indians  watched  the  confer- 
ence in  the  background. 

'  *  My  brother  hath  followed  my  trail,  that  my  ears  may 
hear  the  words  of  a  Yengeese,"  Philip  commenced,  after  a 
sufficient  period  had  elapsed  to  escape  the  imputation  of 
curiosity.  * '  Let  him  speak . ' ' 

"I  have  come  singly  into  the  jaws  of  the  lion,  restless 
and  remorseless  leader  of  the  savages,"  returned  the  bold 
exile,  ' '  that  you  may  hear  the  words  of  peace.  Why  hath 
the  son  seen  the  acts  of  the  English  so  differently  from  the 
father?  Massasoit  was  a  friend  of  the  persecuted  and 
patient  pilgrims  who  have  sought  rest  and  refuge  in  this 
Bethel  of  the  faithful ;  but  thou  hast  hardened  thy  heart 
to  their  prayers,  and  seekest  the  blood  of  those  who  wish 
thee  no  wrong.  Doubtless  thy  nature  is  one  of  pride  and 
mistaken  vanities,  like  that  of  all  thy  race,  and  it  hath 
seemed  needful  to  the  vainglory  of  thy  name  and  nation 
to  battle  against  men  of  a  different  origin.  But  know 
there  is  One  who  is  master  of  all  here  on  earth,  as  He  is 
King  of  Heaven  !  It  is  His  pleasure  that  the  sweet  savor 
of  His  worship  should  arise  from  the  wilderness.  His  will 
is  law,  and  they  that  would  withstand  do  but  kick  against 
the  pricks.  Listen  then  to  peaceful  counsels,  that  the 
land  may  be  parcelled  justly  to  meet  the  wants  of  all,  and 
the  country  be  prepared  for  the  incense  of  the  altar. ' ' 

This  exhortation  was  uttered  in  a  deep  and  almost  un- 
earthly voice,  and  with  a  degree  of  excitement  that  was 
probably  increased  by  the  intensity  with  which  the  solitary 
had  lately  been  brooding  over  his  peculiar  opinions,  and 
the  terrible  scenes  in  which  he  had  so  recently  been  an 
actor.  Philip  listened  with  the  high  courtesy  of  an  Indian 
prince.  Unintelligible  as  was  the  meaning  of  the  speaker, 
his  countenance  betrayed  no  gleaming  of  impatience,  his 


376          tlbef  Mept  of 


lip  no  smile  of  ridicule.  On  the  contrary,  a  noble  and 
lofty  gravity  reigned  in  every  feature  ;  and  ignorant  as  he 
was  of  what  the  other  wished  to  say,  his  attentive  eye  and 
bending  head  expressed  every  wish  to  comprehend. 

"  My  pale  friend  hath  spoken  very  wisely,"  he  said,  when 
the  other  ceased  to  speak.  '  '  But  he  doth  not  see  clearly  in 
these  woods  ;  he  sits  too  much  in  the  shade  ;  his  eye  is  bet- 
ter in  a  clearing.  Metacom  is  not  a  fierce  beast.  His  claws 
are  worn  out  ;  his  legs  are  tired  with  travelling  ;  he  cannot 
jump  far.  My  pale  friend  wants  to  divide  the  land.  Why 
trouble  the  Great  Spirit  to  do  his  work  twice  ?  He  gave  the 
Wampanoags  their  hunting-grounds,  and  places  on  the  salt 
lake  to  catch  their  fish  and  clams,  and  he  did  not  forget  his 
children,  the  Narragansetts.  He  put  them  in  the  midst  of 
the  water,  for  he  saw  that  they  could  swim.  Did  he  forget 
the  Yengeese  ?  or  did  he  put  them  in  a  swamp,  where  they 
would  turn  into  frogs  and  lizards  ?  " 

*  '  Heathen,  my  voice  shall  never  deny  the  bounties  of  my 
God  !  His  hand  hath  placed  my  fathers  in  a  fertile  land, 
rich  in  the  good  things  of  the  world,  fortunate  in  position, 
sea-girt,  and  impregnable.  Happy  is  he  who  can  find  justi- 
fication in  dwelling  within  its  borders  !  '  ' 

An  empty  gourd  lay  on  the  rock,  at  the  side  of  Meta- 
com. Bending  over  the  stream  he  filled  it  to  the  brim 
with  water,  and  held  the  vessel  before  the  eyes  of  his  com- 
panions. 

"  See,"  he  said,  pointing  to  the  even  surface  of  the  fluid  ; 
"  so  much  hath  the  Great  Spirit  said  it  shall  hold.  Now," 
he  added,  filling  the  hollow  of  the  other  hand  from  the 
brook,  and  casting  its  contents  into  the  gourd,  "now  my 
brother  knows  that  some  must  come  away.  It  is  so  with 
his  country.  There  is  no  longer  room  in  it  for  my  pale 
friend." 

"  Did  I  attempt  to  deceive  thine  ears  with  this  tale,  I 
should  lay  falsehood  to  my  soul.  We  are  many,  and  sorry 
am  I  to  say  that  some  among  us  are  like  unto  them  that 
were  called  'Legion.'  But  to  say  that  there  is  not  still 
place  for  all  to  die  where  they  are  born  is  to  utter  damning 
untruth.'* 


Tlbe  Wept  of  Misb^on^Wisb          377 

"  The  land  of  the  Yengeese  is  then  good — very  good," 
returned  Philip  ;  ' '  but  their  young  men  like  one  that  is 
better." 

"Thy  nature,  Wampanoag,  is  not  equal  to  comprehend 
the  motives  which  have  led  us  hither,  and  our  discourse  is 
getting  vain." 

"  My  brother  Conanchet  is  a  sachem.  The  leaves  that  fall 
from  the  trees  of  his  country,  in  the  season  of  frosts,  blow 
into  my  hunting-grounds.  We  are  neighbors  and  friends," 
slightly  bending  his  head  to  the  Narragansett.  '  *  When  a 
wicked  Indian  runs  from  the  islands  to  the  wigwams  of  my 
people,  he  is  whipped  and  sent  back.  We  keep  the  path 
between  us  open  only  for  honest  redmen." 

Philip  spoke  with  a  sneer  that  his  habitual  loftiness  of 
manner  did  not  conceal  from  his  associate  chief,  though  it 
was  so  slight  as  entirely  to  escape  the  observation  of  him 
who  was  the  subject  of  his  sarcasm.  The  former  took  the 
alarm,  and  for  the  first  time  during  the  dialogue  did  he 
break  silence. 

* '  My  pale  father  is  a  brave  warrior, '  *  said  the  young 
Sachem  of  the  Narragansetts.  ' '  His  hand  took  the  scalp 
of  the  Great  Sagamore  of  his  people  ! ' ' 

The  countenance  of  Metacom  changed  instantly.  In 
place  of  the  ironical  scorn  that  was  gathered  about  his  lip, 
its  expression  became  serious  and  respectful.  He  gazed 
steadily  at  the  hard  and  weather-beaten  features  of  his 
guest ;  and  it  is  probable  that  words  of  higher  courtesy  than 
any  he  had  yet  used  would  have  fallen  from  him,  had  not 
at  that  moment  a  signal  been  given  by  a  young  Indian,  set 
to  watch  on  the  summit  of  the  rock,  that  one  approached. 
Both  Metacom  and  Conanchet  appeared  to  hear  this  cry  with 
some  uneasiness.  Neither,  however,  arose,  nor  did  either 
betray  such  evidence  of  alarm  as  denoted  a  deeper  interest 
in  the  interruption  than  the  circumstances  might  very 
naturally  create.  A  warrior  was  shortly  seen  entering  the 
encampment,  from  the  side  of  the  forest  which  was  known 
to  lie  in  the  direction  of  the  Wish-Ton-Wish. 

The  moment  Conanchet  saw  the  person  of  the  newly 
arrived  man,  his  eye  and  attitude  resumed  their  former 


378          Ube  Mept  of 


repose,  though  the  look  of  Metacom  still  continued  gloomy 
and  distrustful.  The  difference  in  the  manner  of  the  chiefs 
was  not,  however,  sufficiently  strong  to  be  remarked  by 
Submission,  who  was  about  to  resume  the  discourse,  when 
the  new-comer  moved  past  the  cluster  of  warriors  in  the  en- 
campment, and  took  his  seat  near  them,  on  a  stone  so  low 
that  the  water  laved  his  feet.  As  usual,  there  was  no  greet- 
ing between  the  Indians  for  some  moments,  the  three  ap- 
pearing to  regard  the  arrival  as  a  mere  thing  of  course.  But 
the  uneasiness  of  Metacom  prompted  a  communication  sooner 
than  common. 

'  '  Mohtucket,  "  he  said,  in  the  language  of  their  tribe, 
11  hast  lost  the  trail  of  his  friends.  We  thought  the  crows 
of  the  pale-men  were  picking  his  bones  !  '  ' 

''There  was  no  scalp  at  his  belt,  and  Mohtucket  was 
ashamed  to  be  seen  among  the  young  men  with  an  empty 
hand." 

*  '  He  remembered  that  he  had  too  often  come  back  with- 
out striking  a  dead  enemy,"  returned  Metacom,  about  whose 
firm  mouth  lurked  an  expression  of  ill-concealed  contempt. 
"  Has  he  now  touched  a  warrior  ?  '  ' 

The  Indian,  who  was  merely  a  man  of  the  inferior  class, 
held  up  the  trophy  which  hung  at  his  girdle,  to  the  exami- 
nation of  the  chief.  Metacom  looked  at  the  disgusting  ob- 
ject with  the  calmness  and  nearly  with  the  interest  that  a 
virtuoso  would  lavish  on  an  antique  memorial  of  some  tri- 
umph of  former  ages.  His  finger  was  thrust  through  a  hole 
in  the  skin,  and  then,  while  he  resumed  his  former  position, 
he  observed  dryly,  — 

"  A  bullet  hath  hit  the  head.  The  arrow  of  Mohtucket 
doth  little  harm  !  " 

'  '  Metacom  hath  never  looked  on  his  young  man  like  a 
friend  since  the  brother  of  Mohtucket  was  killed." 

The  glance  that  Philip  cast  at  his  underling,  though  it  was 
not  unmingled  with  suspicion,  was  one  of  princely  and  sav- 
age scorn.  Their  white  auditor  had  not  been  able  to  under- 
stand the  discourse,  but  the  dissatisfaction  and  uneasiness 
of  the  eyes  of  both  were  too  obvious  not  to  show  that  the 
conference  was  far  from  being  amicable. 


TOept  of  Wteb^roiVMteb  379 

"  The  sachem  hath  discontent  with  his  young  man,"  he 
observed,  "  and  from  this  may  he  understand  the  nature  of 
that  which  leadeth  many  to  quit  the  land  of  their  fathers, 
beneath  the  rising  sun,  to  come  to  this  wilderness  in  the 
west.  If  he  will  now  listen,  I  will  touch  further  on  the 
business  of  my  errand,  and  deal  more  at  large  with  the  sub- 
ject we  have  but  so  lightly  skimmed." 

Philip  manifested  attention.  He  smiled  on  his  guest,  and 
even  bowed  his  assent  to  the  proposal ;  still  his  keen  eye 
seemed  to  read  the  soul  of  his  subordinate,  through  the  veil 
of  his  gloomy  visage.  There  was  a  play  of  the  fingers  of 
his  right  hand  when  the  arm  fell  from  its  position  across  his 
bosom  to  his  thigh,  as  if  they  itched  to  grasp  the  knife, 
whose  buck-horn  handle  lay  within  a  few  inches  of  their 
reach.  Yet  his  air  to  the  white  man  was  composed  and 
dignified.  The  latter  was  again  about  to  speak,  when  the 
arches  of  the  forest  suddenly  rang  with  the  report  of  a  mus- 
ket. All  in  and  near  the  encampment  sprang  to  their  feet 
at  the  well-known  sound,  and  yet  all  continued  as  motionless 
as  if  so  many  dark  but  breathing  statues  had  been  planted 
there.  The  rustling  of  leaves  was  heard,  and  then  the  body 
of  the  young  Indian  who  had  been  posted  on  the  rock  rolled 
to  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  whence  it  fell,  like  a  log,  on  the 
yielding  roof  of  one  of  the  lodges  beneath.  A  shout  issued 
from  the  forest  behind,  a  volley  roared  among  the  trees,  and 
glancing  lead  was  whistling  through  the  air,  and  cutting 
twigs  from  the  undergrowth  on  every  side.  Two  more  of 
the  Wampanoags  were  seen  rolling  on  the  earth  in  the 
death-agony. 

The  voice  of  Annawon  was  heard  in  the  encampment, 
and  at  the  next  instant  the  place  was  deserted. 

During  this  startling  and  fearful  moment  the  four  indi- 
viduals near  the  stream  were  inactive.  Conanchet  and  his 
Christian  friend  stood  to  their  arms,  but  it  was  rather  as 
men  cling  to  the  means  of  defence  in  moments  of  great 
jeopardy,  than  with  any  intention  of  offensive  hostilities. 
Metacom  seemed  undecided.  Accustomed  to  receive  and 
inflict  surprises,  a  warrior  so  experienced  could  not  be  dis- 
concerted ;  still  he  hesitated  as  to  the  course  he  ought  to 


380 


tlbe  Mept  of 


take.  But  when  Annawon,  who  was  nearer  the  scene, 
sounded  the  signal  of  retreat,  he  sprang  towards  the  re- 
turned straggler,  and  with  a  single  blow  of  his  tomahawk 
brained  the  traitor.  Glances  of  fierce  revenge,  and  of  inex- 
tinguishable though  disappointed  hatred,  were  exchanged 
between  the  victim  and  his  chief,  as  the  former  lay  on  the 
rock,  gasping  for  breath  ;  and  then  the  latter  turned  in  his 
tracks,  and  raised  the  dripping  weapon  over  the  head  of  the 
white  man. 

'  '  Wampanoag,  no  !  '  '  said  Conanchet,  in  a  voice  of  thun- 
der. '  '  Our  lives  are  one.  '  ' 

Philip  hesitated.  Fierce  and  dangerous  passions  were 
struggling  in  his  breast,  but  the  habitual  self-command  of 
the  wily  politician  of  those  woods  prevailed.  Even  in  that 
scene  of  blood  and  alarm  he  smiled  on  his  powerful  and 
fearless  young  ally  ;  then  pointing  to  the  deepest  shades  of 
the  forest  he  bounded  towards  them  with  the  activity  of  a 
deer. 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

"  But  peace  be  with  him  ! 
That  life  is  better  life,  past  fearing  death, 
Than  that  which  lives  of  fear. ' » 

Measure  for  Measure. 

COURAGE  is  both  a  comparative  and  an  improvable 
virtue.  If  the  fear  of  death  be  a  weakness  com- 
mon to  the  race,  it  is  one  that  is  capable  of  being 
diminished  by  frequent  exposure,  and  even  rendered 
extinct  by  reflection.  It  was,  therefore,  with  sensibilities 
entirely  changed  from  their  natural  course,  that  the  two 
individuals  who  were  left  alone  by  the  retreat  of  Philip  saw 
the  nature  and  the  approach  of  the  danger  that  now  beset 
them.  Their  position  near  the  brook  had  so  far  protected 
them  from  the  bullets  of  the  assailants ;  but  it  was  equally 
obvious  to  both,  that  in  a  minute  or  two  the  colonists  would 
enter  an  encampment  that  was  already  deserted.  Each,  in 
consequence,  acted  according  to  those  opinions  which  had 
been  fostered  by  the  habits  of  their  respective  lives. 

As  Conanchet  had  no  act  of  vengeance  like  that  which 
Metacom  had  performed,  immediately  before  his  eyes,  he 
had,  at  the  first  alarm,  given  all  his  faculties  to  the  nature 
of  the  attack.  The  first  minute  was  sufficient  to  under- 
stand its  character,  and  the  second  enabled  him  to  decide. 

"  Come,"  he  said  hastily,  but  with  perfect  self-possession, 
pointing  as  he  spoke  to  the  swift-running  stream  at  his  feet ; 
4 '  we  will  go  with  the  water,  let  the  marks  of  our  trail  run 
before." 

Submission  hesitated.  There  was  something  like  haughty 
military  pride  in  the  stern  determination  of  his  eye,  which 
seemed  reluctant  to  incur  the  disgrace  of  a  flight  so  unequivo- 


382          tlbe  TKKept  of 


cal,  and,  as  he  might  have  believed,  so  unworthy  of  his 
character. 

'  '  No,  Narragansett  !  "  he  answered  ;  '  '  flee  for  thy  life, 
but  leave  me  to  reap  the  harvest  of  my  deeds.  They  can 
but  leave  my  bones  by  the  side  of  those  of  this  traitor  at 
my  feet." 

The  mien  of  Conanchet  was  neither  excited  nor  dis- 
pleased. He  quietly  drew  the  corner  of  his  light  robe 
over  a  shoulder,  and  was  about  to  resume  his  seat  on  the 
stone  from  which  he  had  but  a  minute  before  arisen,  when 
his  companion  again  urged  him  to  fly. 

"The  enemies  of  a  chief  must  not  say  that  he  led  his 
friend  into  a  trap,  and  that  when  his  leg  was  fast  he  ran 
away  himself,  like  a  lucky  fox.  If  my  brother  stays  to 
be  killed,  Conanchet  will  be  found  near  him." 

"  Heathen,  heathen  !  "  returned  the  other,  moved  nearly 
to  tears  by  the  loyalty  of  his  guide,  '  '  many  a  Christian 
man  might  take  lessons  from  thy  faith.  Lead  on  —  I  will 
follow  at  the  utmost  of  my  speed." 

The  Narragansett  sprang  into  the  brook,  and  took  its 
downward  course  —  a  direction  opposite  to  that  which 
Philip  had  chosen.  There  was  wisdom  in  this  expedient  ; 
for  though  their  pursuers  might  see  that  the  water  was 
troubled,  there  was  no  certainty  as  to  the  direction  of  the 
fugitives.  Conanchet  had  foreseen  this  little  advantage, 
and  with  the  instinctive  readiness  of  his  people,  he  did 
not  fail  to  make  it  of  service.  Metacom  had  been  influ- 
enced by  the  course  taken  by  his  warriors,  who  had  retired 
under  shelter  of  the  rocks. 

Ere  the  two  fugitives  had  gone  any  great  distance,  they 
heard  the  shouts  of  their  enemies  in  the  encampment  ; 
and  soon  after,  scattering  shot  announced  that  Philip  had 
already  rallied  his  people  to  resistance.  There  was  an 
assurance  of  safety  in  the  latter  circumstance,  which  caused 
them  to  relax  their  speed. 

'  '  My  foot  is  not  as  active  as  in  days  that  are  past,  '  '  said 
Submission  ;  "we  will  therefore  recover  strength  while  we 
may,  lest  we  be  yet  taken  at  emergency.  Narragansett, 
thou  hast  ever  kept  thy  faith  with  me,  and  come  of  what 


Wept  ot  Wisb^UotWQXIlisb  383 


race  or  worship  in  what  manner  thou  mayst,  there  is  one  to 
remember  it. ' ' 

' '  My  father  looked  with  the  eye  of  a  friend  on  the  In- 
dian boy  that  was  kept  like  a  young  bear  in  a  cage.  He 
taught  him  to  speak  with  the  tongue  of  a  Yengeese. ' ' 

' '  We  passed  weary  months  together  in  our  prison,  chief ; 
and  Apollyon  must  have  been  strong  in  a  heart,  to  resist 
the  opportunity  of  friendship  in  such  a  situation.  But, 
even  there,  my  confidence  and  care  were  repaid,  for  without 
thy  mysterious  hints,  gathered  from  signs  thou  hadst  gleaned 
thyself  during  the  hunt,  it  would  not  have  been  in  my 
power  to  warn  my  friends  that  thy  people  contemplated  an 
attack,  the  unhappy  night  of  the  burning.  Narragansett, 
we  have  done  many  acts  of  kindness,  each  in  his  own  fash- 
ion, and  I  am  ready  to  confess  this  last  not  to  be  the  least 
of  thy  favors.  Though  of  white  blood  and  of  Christian 
origin,  I  can  almost  say  that  my  heart  is  Indian." 

"Then  die  an  Indian's  death!"  shouted  a  voice  within 
twenty  feet  of  the  spot  where  they  were  wading  down  the 
stream. 

The  menacing  words  were  rather  accompanied  than 
seconded  by  a  shot,  and  Submission  fell.  Conanchet  cast 
his  musket  into  the  water,  and  turned  to  raise  his  companion. 

"  It  was  merely  age  dealing  with  the  slippery  stones  of 
the  brook,"  said  the  latter,  as  he  recovered  his  footing. 
"That  had  well-nigh  been  a  fatal  discharge !  but  God,  for 
his  own  purpose,  hath  still  averted  the  blow. ' ' 

Conanchet  did  not  speak.  Seizing  his  gun,  which  lay  at 
the  bottom  of  the  stream,  he  drew  his  friend  after  him  to 
the  shore,  and  plunged  into  the  thicket  that  lined  its  banks. 
Here  they  were  momentarily  protected  from  missiles.  But 
the  shouts  that  succeeded  the  discharge  of  the  muskets 
were  accompanied  by  yells  that  he  knew  to  proceed  from 
Pequots  and  Mohegans,  tribes  that  were  in  deadly  hostility 
to  his  own  people.  The  hope  of  concealing  their  trail 
from  such  pursuers  was  not  to  be  indulged,  and  for  his  com- 
panion to  escape  by  flight  he  knew  to  be  impossible.  There 
was  no  time  to  lose.  In  such  emergencies,  with  an  Indian, 
thought  takes  the  character  of  'instinct.  The  fugitive  stood 


384          tTfoe  Mept  of 


at  the  foot  of  the  sapling,  whose  top  was  completely  con- 
cealed by  masses  of  leaves,  which  belonged  to  the  underbrush 
that  clustered  around  its  trunk.  Into  this  tree  he  assisted 
Submission  to  ascend,  and  then,  without  explaining  his  own 
views,  he  instantly  left  the  spot,  rendering  his  own  trail  as 
broad  and  perceptible  as  possible,  by  beating  down  the 
bushes  as  he  passed. 

The  expedient  of  the  faithful  Narragansett  was  com- 
pletely successful.  Before  he  had  got  a  hundred  yards  from 
the  place,  he  saw  the  foremost  of  the  hostile  Indians  hunt- 
ing like  blood-hounds  on  his  footsteps.  His  movement  was 
slow,  until  he  saw  that,  having  his  person  in  view,  all  of 
the  pursuers  had  passed  the  tree.  Then,  the  arrow  parting 
from  the  bow  was  scarce  swifter  than  his  flight. 

The  pursuit  now  partook  of  all  the  exciting  incidents 
and  ingenious  expedients  of  an  Indian  chase.  Conanchet 
was  soon  hunted  from  his  cover,  and  obliged  to  trust  his 
person  in  the  more  open  parts  of  the  forest.  Miles  of  hill 
and  ravine,  of  plain,  of  rocks,  of  morass  and  stream  were 
crossed,  and  still  the  trained  warrior  held  on  his  way  un- 
broken in  spirit  and  scarce  wearied  in  limb.  The  merit  of  the 
savage  in  such  an  employment  rests  more  on  his  bottom  than 
on  his  speed.  The  three  or  four  colonists  who  had  been 
sent  with  the  party  of  amicable  Indians,  to  intercept  those 
who  might  attempt  to  escape  down  the  stream,  were  early 
thrown  out  ;  and  the  struggle  was  now  entirely  between  the 
fugitive  and  men  equally  practised  in  limb  and  ingenious  in 
expedient. 

The  Pequots  had  a  great  advantage  in  their  number. 
The  frequent  doublings  of  the  fugitive  kept  the  chase  within 
the  circle  of  a  mile,  and  as  each  of  his  enemies  tired,  there 
were  always  fresh  pursuers  to  take  his  place.  In  such  a 
contest  the  result  could  not  be  questionable.  After  more 
than  two  hours  of  powerful  exertion,  the  foot  of  Conanchet 
began  to  fail,  and  his  speed  very  sensibly  to  flag.  Ex- 
hausted by  efforts  that  had  been  nearty  supernatural,  the 
breathless  warrior  cast  his  person  prostrate  on  the  earth,  and 
lay  for  several  minutes  as  if  he  were  dead. 

During  this    breathing-time  his  throbbing  pulses  grew 


Ube  Mept  of  Wisb^otWCOUsb          385 

more  calm,  his  heart  beat  less  violently,  and  the  circulation 
was  gradually  returning  to  the  tranquil  flow  of  nature  in  a 
state  of  rest.  It  was  at  this  moment,  when  his  energies 
were  recruited  by  rest,  that  the  chief  heard  the  tread  of  the 
moccasins  on  his  trail.  Rising,  he  looked  back  on  the 
course  over  which  he  had  just  passed  with  so  much  pain. 
But  a  single  warrior  was  in  view.  Hope  for  an  instant 
regained  the  ascendency,  and  he  raised  his  musket  to  fell 
his  approaching  adversary.  The  aim  was  cool,  long,  and  it 
would  have  been  fatal  had  not  the  useless  tick  of  the  lock 
reminded  him  of  the  condition  of  his  gun.  He  cast  the  wet 
and  unserviceable  piece  away  and  grasped  his  tomahawk  • 
but  a  band  of  Pequots  rushed  in  to  the  rescue,  rendering 
resistance  madness.  Perceiving  the  hopelessness  of  kis 
situation,  the  Sachem  of  the  Narragansetts  dropped  his 
tomahawk,  loosened  his  belt,  and  advanced  unharmed,  with 
a  noble  resignation,  to  meet  his  foes.  In  the  next  instant  he 
was  their  prisoner. 

4 'Bring  me  to  your  chief,"  said  the  captive,  haughtily, 
when  the  common  herd  into  whose  hands  he  had  fallen 
would  have  questioned  him  on  the  subject  of  his  companion's 
and  of  his  own  fate.  ' '  My  tongue  is  used  to  speak  with 
sachems." 

He  was  obeyed,  and  before  an  hour  had  passed  the  re- 
nowned Conanchet  stood  confronted  with  his  most  deadly 
enemy. 

The  place  of  meeting  was  the  deserted  encampment  of  the 
band  of  Philip.  Here  most  of  the  pursuers  had  already 
assembled,  including  all  of  the  colonists  who  had  been  en- 
gaged in  the  expedition.  The  latter  consisted  of  Meek 
Wolfe,  Ensign  Dudley,  Sergeant  Ring,  and  a  dozen  private 
men  of  the  village. 

The  result  of  the  enterprise  was,  by  this  time,  generally 
known.  Though  Metacom,  its  principal  object,  had  es- 
caped ;  yet,  when  it  was  understood  that  the  Sachem  of  the 
Narragansetts  had  fallen  into  their  hands,  there  was  not  an 
individual  of  the  party  who  did  not  think  his  personal  risk 
more  than  amply  compensated.  Though  the  Mohegans  and 

Pequots  restrained  their  exultation,  lest  the  pride  of  their 
25 


386  tTbe  Mept  of 


captive  should  be  soothed  by  such  an  evidence  of  his  impor- 
tance, the  white  men  drew  around  the  prisoner  with  an  in- 
terest and  a  joy  they  did  not  care  to  conceal.  Still,  as  he 
had  yielded  to  an  Indian,  there  was  an  affectation  of  leaving 
the  chief  to  the  clemency  of  his  conquerors.  Perhaps  some 
deeply-pondered  scheme  of  policy  had  its  influence  in  this 
act  of  seeming  justice. 

When  Conanchet  was  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  curious 
circle,  he  found  himself  immediately  in  presence  of  the  prin- 
cipal chief  of  the  tribe  of  Mohegans.  It  was  Uncas,  son  of 
that  Uncas  whose  fortunes  had  also  prevailed,  aided  by  the 
whites,  in  the  conflict  with  his  father,  the  hapless  but  noble 
Miantonimoh.  Fate  had  now  decreed  that  the  same  evil 
star,  which  had  governed  the  destinies  of  the  ancestor,  should 
extend  its  influence  to  the  second  generation. 

The  race  of  Uncas,  though  weakened  of  its  power,  and 
shorn  of  much  of  its  peculiar  grandeur  by  a  vicious  alliance 
with  the  English,  still  retained  most  of  the  fine  qualities  of 
savage  heroism.  He  who  now  stood  forth  to  receive  his 
captive  was  a  warrior  of  middle  age,  of  just  proportions,  of 
a  grave  though  fierce  aspect,  and  of  an  eye  and  countenance 
that  expressed  all  those  contradictory  traits  of  character 
which  render  the  savage  warrior  almost  as  admirable  as  he 
is  appalling.  Until  this  moment  the  rival  chieftains  had 
never  met  except  in  the  confusion  of  battle.  For  a  few 
minutes  neither  spoke.  Each  stood  regarding  the  fine  out- 
lines, the  eagle  eye,  the  proud  bearing,  and  the  severe 
gravity  of  the  other  in  secret  admiration,  but  with  a  calm- 
ness so  immovable  as  entirely  to  conceal  the  workings  of 
his  thoughts.  At  length  they  began  to  assume  miens  suited 
to  the  part  each  was  to  enact  in  the  coming  scene.  The 
countenance  of  Uncas  became  ironical  and  exulting,  while 
that  of  his  captive  grew  still  more  cold  and  unconcerned. 

"  My  young  men,"  said  the  former,  "have  taken  a  fox 
skulking  in  the  bushes.  His  legs  were  very  long  ;  but  he 
had  no  heart  to  use  them.  '  ' 

Conanchet  folded  his  arms  on  his  bosom,  and  the  glance 
of  his  quiet  eye  seemed  to  tell  his  enemy  that  devices  so 
common  were  unworthy  of  them  both.  The  other  either 


ttbe  Mept  of  Timisb^on^Misb          387 

understood  its  meaning,  or  loftier  feelings  prevailed,  for  he 
added,  in  a  better  taste, — 

' '  Is  Conanchet  tired  of  his  life  that  he  comes  among  my 
young  men  ?  ' ' 

"  Mohican,"  said  the  Narragansett  chief,  "he  has  been 
there  before  ;  if  Uncas  will  count  his  warriors  he  will  see 
that  some  are  wanting." 

' '  There  are  no  traditions  among  the  Indians  of  the 
islands  ! ' '  said  the  other,  with  an  ironical  glance  at  the 
chiefs  near  him.  ' '  They  have  never  heard  of  Miantonimoh  ; 
they  do  not  know  such  a  field  as  the  sachem's  plain  !  " 

The  countenance  of  the  prisoner  changed.  For  a  single 
instant  it  appeared  to  grow  dark,  as  if  a  deep  shadow  were 
cast  athwart  it ;  and  then  every  feature  rested,  as  before, 
in  dignified  repose.  His  conqueror  watched  the  play  of  his 
lineaments,  and  when  he  thought  nature  was  getting  the 
ascendency,  exultation  gleamed  about  his  own  fierce  eye  ; 
but  when  the  self-possession  of  the  Narragansett  returned, 
he  affected  to  think  no  more  of  an  effort  that  had  been  fruit- 
less. 

' '  If  the  men  of  the  islands  know  little, ' '  he  continued,  ' l  it 
is  not  so  with  the  Mohicans.  There  was  once  a  great  sachem 
among  the  Narragansetts ;  he  was  wiser  than  the  beaver 
swifter  than  the  moose,  and  more  cunning  than  the  red  fox. 
But  he  could  not  see  into  to-morrow.  Foolish  counsellors 
told  him  to  go  upon  the  war-path  against  the  Pequots  and 
Mohicans.  He  lost  his  scalp  ;  it  hangs  in  the  smoke  of  my 
wigwam.  We  shall  see  if  it  will  know  the  hair  of  its  son. 
Narragansett,  here  are  wise  men  of  the  pale- faces  ;  they  will 
speak  to  you.  If  they  offer  a  pipe,  smoke ;  for  tobacco  is 
not  plenty  with  your  tribe. ' ' 

Uncas  then  turned  away,  leaving  his  prisoner  to  the  in- 
terrogatories of  his  white  allies. 

"Here  is  the  look  of  Miantonimoh,  Sergeant  Ring,"  ob- 
served Ensign  Dudley  to  his  wife's  brother,  after  he  had 
contemplated  for  a  reasonable  time  the  features  of  the  pris- 
oner. "I  see  the  eye  and  the  tread  of  the  father  in  this 
young  sachem.  And  more,  Sergeant  Ring  ;  the  chief  favors 
the  boy  we  picked  up  in  the  fields  some  dozen  years  agone, 


388  Ube  Mept  of 


and  kept  in  the  block  for  the  matter  of  many  months,  caged 
like  a  young  panther.  Hast  forgotten  the  night,  Reuben, 
and  the  lad,  and  the  block  ?  A  fiery  oven  is  not  hotter  than 
that  pile  was  getting  before  we  dove  into  the  earth.  I  never 
fail  to  think  of  it  when  the  good  minister  is  dealing  power- 
fully with  the  punishments  of  the  wicked  and  the  furnaces  of 
Tophet!" 

The  silent  yoeman  comprehended  the  disconnected  allu- 
sions of  his  relative,  nor  was  he  slow  in  seeing  the  palpable 
resemblance  between  their  prisoner  and  the  Indian  boy  whose 
person  had  once  been  so  familiar  to  his  eye.  Admiration 
and  surprise  were  blended  in  his  honest  face  with  an  expres- 
sion that  appeared  to  announce  deep  regret.  As  neither  of 
these  individuals,  however,  was  the  principal  personage  of 
their  party,  each  was  fain  to  remain  an  attentive  and  an  in- 
terested observer  of  that  which  followed. 

'  '  Worshipper  of  Baal  !  '  '  commenced  the  sepulchral  voice 
of  the  divine,  *  '  it  has  pleased  the  King  of  heaven  and  earth 
to  protect  his  people  !  The  triumph  of  thy  evil  nature  hath 
been  short,  and  now  cometh  the  judgment  !  " 

These  words  were  uttered  to  ears  that  affected  deafness. 
In  the  presence  of  his  most  deadly  foe,  and  a  captive,  Co- 
nanchet  was  not  a  man  to  suffer  his  resolution  to  waver.  He 
looked  coldly  and  vacantly  on  the  speaker,  nor  could  the 
most  suspicious  or  the  most  practised  eye  have  detected  in 
his  mien  his  knowledge  of  the  English  language.  Deceived 
by  the  stoicism  of  the  prisoner,  Meek  muttered  a  few  words, 
in  which  the  Narragansett  was  strangely  dealt  by,  denunci- 
ations and  petitions  in  his  favor  being  blended  in  the  quaint 
and  exaggerated  fashions  of  the  times  ;  and  then  he  sub- 
mitted to  the  interference  of  those  present,  who  were  charged 
with  the  duty  of  deciding  on  the  fate  of  the  Indian. 

Although  Eben  Dudley  was  the  principal  and  the  efficient 
military  man  in  this  little  expedition  from  the  valley,  he  was 
accompanied  by  those  whose  authority  was  predominant  in 
all  matters  that  did  not  strictly  appertain  to  the  executive 
portion  of  the  duty.  Commissioners  named  by  the  govern- 
ment of  the  colony  had  come  out  with  the  party,  clothed  with 
power  to  dispose  of  Philip,  should  that  dreaded  chief,  as  was 


Ube  Mept  of  Mteb^Uon^WtBb          389 

expected,  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  English.     To  these  per- 
sons the  fate  of  Conanchet  was  now  referred. 

We  shall  not  detain  the  narrative  to  dwell  on  the  particu- 
lars of  the  council.  The  question  was  gravely  considered, 
and  it  was  decided  with  a  deep  and  conscientious  sense  of  the 
responsibility  of  those  who  acted  as  judges.  Several  hours 
were  passed  in  deliberation,  Meek  opening  and  closing  the 
proceedings  by  solemn  prayers.  The  judgment  was  then 
announced  to  Uncas  by  the  divine  himself. 

' '  The  wise  men  of  my  people  have  consulted  together  in 
the  matter  of  this  Narragansett, "  he  said,  "  and  their  spirits 
have  wrestled  powerfully  with  the  subject.  In  coming  to 
their  conclusion,  if  it  wear  the  aspect  of  time-serving,  let  all 
remember  the  Providence  of  Heaven  hath  so  interwoven  the 
interests  of  man  with  its  own  good  purposes,  that  to  the  car- 
nal eye  they  may  outwardly  seem  to  be  inseparable.  But 
that  which  is  here  done  is  done  in  good  faith  to  our  ruling 
principle,  which  is  good  faith  to  thee  and  to  all  others  who 
support  the  altar  in  this  wilderness.  And  herein  is  our  de- 
cision :  We  commit  the  Narragansett  to  thy  justice,  since  it 
is  evident  that  while  he  is  at  large,  neither  thou,  who  art  a 
feeble  prop  to  the  church  in  these  regions,  nor  we,  who  are 
its  humble  and  unworthy  servitors,  are  safe.  Take  him, 
then,  and  deal  with  him  according  to  thy  wisdom.  We  place 
limits  to  thy  power  in  only  two  things.  It  is  not  meet  that 
any  born  of  humanity,  and  having  human  sensibilities,  should 
suffer  more  in  the  flesh  than  may  be  necessary  to  the  ends  of 
duty ;  we  therefore  decree  that  thy  captive  shall  not  die  by 
torture  ;  and,  for  the  better  security  of  this  our  charitable 
decision,  two  of  our  number  shall  accompany  thee  and  him 
to  the  place  of  execution  ;  it  being  always  supposed  it  is  thy 
intention  to  inflict  the  pains  of  death.  Another  condition  of 
this  concession  to  a  foreordered  necessity  is,  that  a  Christian 
minister  may  be  at  hand,  in  order  that  the  sufferer  may  de- 
part with  the  prayers  of  one  accustomed  to  lift  his  voice  in 
petitions  to  the  footstool  of  the  Almighty. 

The  Mohegan  chief  heard  this  sentence  with  deep  atten 
tion.     When  he  found  he  was  to  be  denied  the  satisfaction 
of  proving,  or  perhaps  of  overcoming,  the  resolution  of  his 


390          ttbe  Mept  of 


enemy,  a  deep  cloud  passed  across  his  swarthy  visage.  But 
the  strength  of  his  tribe  had  long  been  broken,  and  to  resist 
would  have  been  as  unprofitable  as  to  repine  would  have 
been  unseemly.  The  conditions  were  therefore  accepted, 
and  preparations  were  accordingly  made  among  the  Indians 
to  proceed  to  judgment. 

These  people  had  few  contradictory  principles  to  appease, 
and  no  subtleties  to  distract  their  decision.  Direct,  fearless, 
and  simple  in  all  their  practices,  they  did  little  more  than 
gather  the  voices  of  the  chiefs  and  acquaint  their  captive 
with  the  result.  They  knew  that  fortune  had  thrown  an 
implacable  enemy  into  their  hands,  and  they  believed  that 
self-preservation  demanded  his  life.  To  them  it  mattered 
little  whether  he  had  arrows  in  his  hands,  or  had  yielded 
himself  an  unarmed  prisoner.  He  knew  the  risk  he  ran 
in  submitting,  and  he  had  probably  consulted  his  own  char- 
acter, rather  than  their  benefit,  in  throwing  away  his  arms. 
They  therefore  pronounced  the  judgment  of  death  against 
their  captive,  merely  respecting  the  decree  of  their  white 
allies,  which  had  commanded  them  to  spare  the  torture. 

So  soon  as  this  determination  was  known,  the  commission- 
ers of  the  colony  hastened  away  from  the  spot  with  con- 
sciences that  required  some  aid  from  the  stimulus  of  their 
subtle  doctrines,  in  order  to  render  them  quiet.  They  were, 
however,  ingenious  casuists  ;  and  as  they  hurried  along 
their  return  path,  most  of  the  party  were  satisfied  that  they 
had  rather  manifested  a  merciful  interposition,  than  exer- 
cised any  act  of  positive  cruelty. 

During  the  two  or  three  hours  which  had  passed  in  these 
solemn  and  usual  preparations,  Conanchet  was  seated  on  a 
rock,  a  close  but  apparently  an  unmoved  spectator  of  all  that 
passed.  His  eye  was  mild,  and  at  times  melancholy,  but  its 
brightness  and  its  steadiness  remained  unimpaired.  When 
his  sentence  was  announced,  it  exhibited  no  change  ;  and  he 
saw  all  the  pale-men  depart,  with  the  calmness  he  had 
maintained  throughout.  It  was  only  as  Uncas,  attended 
by  the  body  of  his  party  and  the  two  white  superintendents 
who  had  been  left,  approached,  that  his  spirit  seemed  to 
awaken. 


Wept  of  Wteb^Uon^KHteb          391 

' '  My  people  have  said  that  there  shall  be  no  more  wolves 
in  the  woods, ' '  said  Uncas  ;  ' '  and  they  have  commanded  our 
young  men  to  slay  the  hungriest  of  them  all." 

' '  It  is  well !  "  coldly  returned  the  other. 

A  gleaming  of  admiration,  and  perhaps  of  humanity,  came 
over  the  grim  countenance  of  Uncas,  as  he  gazed  at  the  re- 
pose which  reigned  in  the  firm  features  of  his  victim.  For  an 
instant,  his  purpose  wavered. 

'  *  The  Mohicans  are  a  great  tribe  !  "  he  added  ;  '  *  and  the 
race  of  Uncas  is  getting  few.  We  will  paint  our  brother  so 
that  the  lying  Narragansetts  shall  not  know  him,  and  he 
will  be  a  warrior  on  the  main  land. ' ' 

This  relenting  of  his  enemy  had  a  corresponding  effect  on 
the  generous  temper  of  Conanchet.  The  lofty  pride  deserted 
his  eye,  and  his  look  became  milder  and  more  human.  For 
a  minute,  intense  thought  brooded  around  his  brow ;  the 
grim  muscles  of  his  mouth  played  a  little,  though  scarcely 
enough  to  be  seen,  and  then  he  spoke. 

"  Mohican,"  he  said,  "why  should  your  young  men  be  in 
a  hurry  ?  My  scalp  will  be  the  scalp  of  a  Great  Chief  to- 
morrow. They  will  not  take  two,  should  they  strike  their 
prisoner  now." 

"Hath  Conanchet  forgotten  anything,  that  he  is  not 
ready?" 

"  Sachem,  he  is  always  ready;  but — "  he  paused,  and  spoke 
in  tones  that  faltered — "  does  a  Mohican  live  alone?  " 

"  How  many  suns  does  the  Narragansett  ask  ?  " 

*  *  One  ;  when  the  shadow  of  that  pine  points  towards  the 
brook,  Conanchet  will  be  ready.  He  will  then  stand  in  the 
shade,  with  naked  hands." 

"  Go,"  said  Uncas,  with  dignity  ;  "  I  have  heard  the  words 
of  a  sagamore." 

Conanchet  turned,  and  passing  swiftly  through  the  silent 
crowd,  his  person  was  soon  lost  in  the  surrounding  forest. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

"  Therefore,  lay  bare  your  bosom." 

Merchant  of  Venice. 

THE  night  that  succeeded  was  wild  and  melancholy. 
The  moon  was  nearly  full,  but  its  place  in  the 
heavens  was  only  seen,  as  the   masses  of  vapor 
which  drove  through  the  air  occasionally  opened, 
suffering  short  gleams  of  fitful  light  to  fall  on  the  scene  be- 
low.      A  southwestern  wind  rather  moaned  than  sighed 
through  the  forest,  and  there  were  moments  when  its  fresh- 
ness increased,  till  every  leaf  seemed  a  tongue,  and  each  low 
plant  appeared  to  be  endowed  with  the  gift  of  speech.     With 
the  exception  of  these  imposing  and  not  unpleasing  natural 
sounds,  there  was  a  solemn  quiet  in  and  about  the  village  of 
the  Wish-Ton-Wish.     An  hour  before  the  moment  when  we 
resume  the  action  of  the  legend,  the  sun  had  settled  into  the 
neighboring  forest,  and  most  of  its  simple  and  laborious  in- 
habitants had  already  sought  their  rest. 

The  lights,  however,  still  shone  through  many  of  the 
windows  of  the  "  Heathcote  house,"  as,  in  the  language  of 
the  country,  the  dwelling  of  the  Puritan  was  termed.  There 
was  the  usual  stirring  industry  in  and  about  the  offices,  and 
the  ordinary  calm  was  reigning  in  the  superior  parts  of  the 
habitation.  A  solitary  man  was  to  be  seen  on  its  piazza,.  It 
was  young  Mark  Heathcote,  who  paced  the  long  and 
narrow  gallery,  as  if  impatient  of  some  interruption  to  his 
wishes. 

The  uneasiness  of  the  young  man  was  of  short  continu- 
ance ;  for,  ere  he  had  been  many  minutes  at  his  post  a  door 
opened,  and  two  light  and  timid  forms  glided  out  of  the 
house. 

392 


Ube  TOept  of  Wisb*Uon=*Wteb          393 

"Thou  hast  not  come  alone,  Martha,"  said  the  youth, 
half-displeased.  ' '  I  told  thee  that  the  matter  I  had  to  say 
was  for  thine  own  ear. ' ' 

"  It  is  our  Ruth.  Thou  knowest,  Mark,  that  she  may  not 
be  left  alone,  for  we  fear  her  return  to  the  forest.  She  is 
like  some  ill- tamed  fawn,  that  would  be  apt  to  leap  away  at 
the  first  well-known  sound  from  the  woods.  Even  now,  I 
fear  we  are  too  much  asunder." 

' '  Fear  nothing ;  my  sister  fondles  her  infant,  and  she 
thinketh  not  of  flight ;  thou  seest  I  am  here  to  intercept  her, 
were  such  her  intention.  Now  speak  with  candor,  Martha, 
and  say  if  thou  meanest  in  sincerity  that  the  visits  of  the 
Hartford  gallant  were  less  to  thy  liking  than  most  of  thy 
friends  have  believed  ?  " 

' '  What  I  have  said  cannot  be  recalled. ' ' 

"  Still  it  may  be  repented  of." 

* '  I  do  not  number  the  dislike  I  may  feel  for  the  young 
man  among  my  failings.  I  am  too  happy  here,  in  this 
family,  to  wish  to  quit  it.  And  now  that  our  sister — there 
is  one  speaking  to  her  at  this  moment,  Mark  !  " 

1  'Tis  only  the  innocent,"  returned  the  young  man,  glan- 
cing his  eye  to  the  other  end  of  the  piazza.  ' '  They  confer 
often  together.  Whittal  hath  just  come  in  from  the  woods, 
where  he  is  much  inclined  to  pass  an  hour  or  two,  each  even- 
ing. Thou  wast  saying  that  now  we  have  our  sister —  " 

"  I  feel  less  desire  to  change  my  abode." 

' '  Then  why  not  stay  with  us  forever,  Martha  ?  ' ' 

"Hist!"  interrupted  his  companion,  who,  though  con- 
scious of  what  she  was  about  to  listen  to,  shrank,  with  the 
waywardness  of  human  nature,  from  the  very  declaration 
she  most  wished  to  hear,  "hist — there  was  a  movement. 
Ah  !  Ruth  and  Whittal  are  fled  !  " 

"  They  seek  some  amusement  for  the  babe — they  are  near 
the  out-buildings.  Then  why  not  accept  a  right  to  remain 
forever  ?  ' ' 

"  It  may  not  be,  Mark,"  cried  the  girl,  wresting  her  hand 
from  his  grasp  ;  "  they  are  fled  !  " 

Mark  reluctantly  released  his  hold,  and  followed  to  the 
spot  where  his  sister  had  been  sitting.  She  was,  in  truth, 


394          'Ebe  Wept  of 


gone  ;  though  some  minutes  passed  before  even  Martha 
seriously  believed  that  she  had  disappeared  without  an  in- 
tention of  returning.  The  agitation  of  both  rendered  the 
search  ill-directed  and  uncertain,  and  there  was  perhaps  a 
secret  satisfaction  in  prolonging  their  interview  even  in  this 
vague  manner,  that  prevented  them  for  some  time  from  giv- 
ing the  alarm.  When  that  moment  did  come,  it  was  too 
late.  The  fields  were  examined,  the  orchards  and  out-houses 
thoroughly  searched,  without  any  traces  of  the  fugitives.  It 
would  have  been  useless  to  enter  the  forest  in  the  darkness, 
and  all  that  could  be  done  in  reason  was  to  set  a  watch 
during  the  night,  and  to  prepare  for  a  more  active  and  in- 
telligent pursuit  in  the  morning. 

But  long  before  the  sun  arose,  the  small  and  melancholy 
party  of  the  fugitives  threaded  the  woods  at  such  a  distance 
from  the  valley  as  would  have  rendered  the  plan  of  the 
family  entirely  nugatory.  Conanchet  had  led  the  way  over 
a  thousand  forest  knolls,  across  water-courses,  and  through 
dark  glens,  followed  by  his  silent  partner,  with  an  industry 
that  would  have  baffled  the  zeal  of  even  those  from  whom 
they  fled.  Whittal  Ring,  bearing  the  infant  on  his  back, 
trudged  with  unwearied  step  in  the  rear.  Hours  had  passed 
in  this  manner,  and  not  a  syllable  had  been  uttered  by  either 
of  the  three.  Once  or  twice,  they  had  stopped  at  some  spot 
where  water,  limpid  as  the  air,  gushed  from  the  rocks  ; 
and,  drinking  from  the  hollows  of  their  hands,  the  march 
had  been  resumed  with  the  same  speechless  industry  as 
before. 

At  length  Conanchet  paused.  He  studied  the  position  of 
the  sun  gravely,  and  took  a  long  and  anxious  look  at  the 
signs  of  the  forest,  in  order  that  he  might  not  be  deceived 
in  its  quarter.  To  an  unpractised  eye,  the  arches  of  the 
trees,  the  leaf-covered  earth,  and  the  mouldering  logs,  would 
have  seemed  everywhere  the  same.  But  it  was  not  easy  to 
deceive  one  so  trained  in  the  woods.  Satisfied  equally  with 
the  progress  he  had  made,  and  with  the  hour,  the  chief 
signed  to  his  two  companions  to  place  themselves  at  his  side, 
and  took  a  seat  on  a  low  shelf  of  rock  that  thrust  its  naked 
head  out  of  the  side  of  a  hill. 


ttbe  Wept  ot  Wteb*tron*Mteb          395 

For  many  minutes  after  all  were  seated,  no  one  broke  the 
silence.  The  eye  of  Narra-mattah  sought  the  countenance 
of  her  husband,  as  the  eye  of  woman  seeks  instruction  from 
the  expression  of  features  that  she  has  been  taught  to  revere  ; 
but  still  she  spoke  not.  The  innocent  laid  the  patient  babe 
at  the  feet  of  its  mother,  and  imitated  her  reserve. 

"Is  the  air  of  the  woods  pleasant  to  the  Honeysuckle 
after  living  in  the  wigwam  of  her  people  ? ' '  asked  Conan- 
chet,  breaking  the  long  silence.  * '  Can  a  flower,  which 
blossomed  in  the  sun,  like  the  shade  ?  " 

' '  A  woman  of  the  Narragansetts  is  happiest  in  the  lodge 
of  her  husband. ' ' 

The  eye  of  the  chief  met  her  confiding  look  with  affection, 
and  then  it  fell,  mild  and  full  of  kindness,  on  the  features 
of  the  infant  that  lay  at  their  feet.  There  was  a  minute, 
during  which  an  expression  of  bitter  melancholy  gathered 
about  his  brow. 

"The  Spirit  that  made  the  earth,"  he  continued,"  is  very 
cunning.  He  has  known  where  to  put  the  hemlock,  and 
where  the  oak  should  grow.  He  has  left  the  moose  and  the 
deer  to  the  Indian  hunter,  and  he  has  given  the  horse  and 
the  ox  to  a  pale-face.  Bach  tribe  hath  its  hunting-grounds 
and  its  game.  The  Narragansetts  know  the  taste  of  a  clam, 
while  the  Mohawks  eat  the  berries  of  the  mountains.  Thou 
hast  seen  the  bright  bow  which  shines  in  the  skies,  Narra- 
mattah,  and  knowest  how  one  color  is  mixed  with  another, 
like  paint  on  a  warrior's  face.  The  leaf  of  the  hemlock  is 
like  the  leaf  of  the  sumach ;  the  ash,  the  chestnut ;  the 
chestnut,  the  linden  ;  and  the  linden,  the  broad-leaved  tree 
which  bears  the  red  fruit,  in  the  clearing  of  the  Yengeese  ; 
but  the  tree  of  the  red  fruit  is  little  like  the  hemlock  !  Co- 
nanchet  is  a  tall  and  straight  hemlock,  and  the  father  of 
Narra-mattah  is  a  tree  of  the  clearing,  that  bears  the  red  fruit. 
The  Great  Spirit  was  angry  when  they  grew  together." 

The  senitive  wife  understood  but  too  well  the  current  of 
the  chief's  thoughts.  Suppressing  the  pain  she  felt,  how- 
ever, she  answered  with  the  readiness  of  a  woman  whose 
imagination  was  quickened  by  her  affections. 

"What  Conanchet  hath  said  is  true.     But  the  Yengeese 


396          tTbe  Mept  of 


have  put  the  apple  of  their  own  land  on  the  thorn  of  our 
woods,  and  the  fruit  is  good  !  '  ' 

"  It  is  like  that  boy,"  said  the  chief,  pointing  to  his  son  ; 
4  '  neither  red  nor  pale.  No,  Narra-mattah  ;  what  the  Great 
Spirit  hath  commanded,  even  a  sachem  must  do.  '  ' 

*  '  And  doth  Conanchet  say  this  fruit  is  not  good  ?  '  '  asked 
his  wife,  lifting  the  smiling  boy  with  a  mother's  joy  before 
his  eyes. 

The  heart  of  the  warrior  was  touched.  Bending  his  head, 
he  kissed  the  babe,  with  such  fondness  as  parents  less  stern 
are  wont  to  exhibit.  For  a  moment,  he  appeared  to  have 
satisfaction  in  gazing  at  the  promise  of  the  child.  But  as 
he  raised  his  head,  his  eye  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  sun,  and 
the  whole  expression  of  his  countenance  changed.  Motion- 
ing to  his  wife  to  replace  the  infant  on  the  earth,  he  turned 
to  her  with  solemnity,  and  continued,  — 

"I^et  the  tongue  of  Narra-mattah  speak  without  fear. 
She  hath  been  in  the  lodges  of  her  father,  and  hath  tasted 
of  their  plenty.  Is  her  heart  glad  !  '  ' 

The  young  wife  paused.  The  question  brought  with  it 
a  sudden  recollection  of  all  those  reviving  sensations,  of 
that  tender  solicitude,  and  of  those  soothing  sympathies  of 
which  she  had  so  lately  been  the  subject.  But  these  feel- 
ings soon  vanished  ;  for,  without  daring  to  lift  her  eyes  to 
meet  the  attentive  and  anxious  gaze  of  the  chief,  she  said 
firmly,  though  with  a  voice  that  was  subdued  by  diffi- 
dence, — 

11  Narra-mattah  is  a  wife." 

*  '  Then  she  will  listen  to  the  words  of  her  husband.     Co- 
nanchet is   a  chief  no  longer.     He  is  a  prisoner  of  the 
Mohicans.     Uncas  waits  for  him  in  the  woods  !  '  ' 

Notwithstanding  the  recent  declaration  of  the  young  wife, 
she  heard  of  this  calamity  with  little  of  the  calmness  of  an 
Indian  woman.  At  first  it  seemed  as  if  her  senses  refused 
to  comprehend  the  meaning  of  the  words.  Wonder,  doubt, 
horror,  and  fearful  certainty,  each  in  its  turn  prevailed  ;  for 
she  was  too  well  schooled  in  all  the  usages  and  opinions  of 
the  people  with  whom  she  dwelt,  not  to  understand  the  jeop- 
ardy in  which  her  husband  was  placed. 


Ube  Wept  of  Wisb*aotVlimf0b          397 

1 '  The  Sachem  of  the  Narragansetts  a  prisoner  of  Mohican 
Uncas  ! ' '  she  repeated  in  a  low  tone,  as  if  the  sound  of  her 
voice  were  necessary  to  dispel  some  horrible  illusion.  ' '  No  ! 
Uncas  is  not  a  warrior  to  strike  Conanchet ! ' ' 

' '  Hear  my  words, ' '  said  the  chief,  touching  the  shoulder 
of  his  wife,  as  one  arouses  a  friend,  from  his  slumbers. 
' '  There  is  a  pale-face  in  these  woods  who  is  a  burrowing 
fox.  He  hides  his  head  from  the  Yengeese.  When  his 
people  are  on  the  trail,  barking  like  hungry  wolves,  this 
man  trusted  to  a  sagamore.  It  was  a  swift  chase,  and  my 
father  is  getting  very  old.  He  went  up  a  young  hickory 
like  a  bear,  and  Conanchet  led  off  the  lying  tribe.  But  he 
is  not  a  moose.  His  legs  cannot  go  like  running  water  for- 
ever !" 

' '  And  why  did  the  great  Narragansett  give  his  life  for  a 
stranger  !  " 

' c  The  man  is  a  brave, ' '  returned  the  sachem,  proudly ; 
' '  he  took  the  scalp  of  a  sagamore  ! ' ' 

Again  Narra-mattah  was  silent.  She  brooded  in  nearly 
stupid  amazement  on  the  frightful  truth. 

' '  The  Great  Spirit  sees  that  the  man  and  his  wife  are  of 
different  tribes,"  she  at  length  ventured  to  rejoin.  "He 
wishes  them  to  become  the  same  people.  I^et  Conanchet 
quit  the  woods,  and  go  into  the  clearings  with  the  mother 
of  his  boy.  Her  white  father  will  be  glad,  and  Mohican 
Uncas  will  not  dare  to  follow. ' ' 

"Woman,  I  am  a  sachem,  and  a  warrior  among  my 
people!" 

There  was  a  severe  and  cold  displeasure  in  the  voice  of 
Conanchet  that  his  companion  had  never  before  heard.  He 
spoke  in  the  manner  of  a  chief  to  his  woman,  rather  than 
with  that  manly  softness  with  which  he  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  address  the  scion  of  the  pale-faces.  The  words 
came  over  her  heart  like  a  withering  chill,  and  affliction 
kept  her  mute.  The  chief  himself  sat  a  moment  longer  in  a 
stern  calmness,  and  then  rising  in  displeasure  he  pointed  to 
the  sun,  and  beckoned  to  his  companions  to  proceed.  In  a 
time  that  appeared  to  the  throbbing  heart  of  her  who  fol- 
lowed his  swift  footsteps  but*  a  moment,  they  had  turned 


398          ftbe  IKftept  ot 


a  little  eminence,  and  in  another  minute  they  stood  in  the 
presence  of  a  party  that  evidently  awaited  their  coming. 
This  grave  group  consisted  only  of  Uncas,  two  of  his 
fiercest-looking  and  most  athletic  warriors,  the  divine,  and 
Kben  Dudley. 

Advancing  rapidly  to  the  spot  where  his  enemy  stood, 
Conanchet  took  his  post  at  the  foot  of  the  fatal  tree. 
Pointing  to  the  shadow,  which  had  not  yet  turned  towards 
the  east,  he  folded  his  arms  on  his  naked  bosom,  and  as- 
sumed an  air  of  haughty  unconcern.  These  movements 
were  made  in  the  midst  of  a  profound  stillness. 

Disappointment,  unwilling  admiration,  and  distrust,  all 
struggled  through  the  mask  of  practised  composure,  in  the 
dark  countenance  of  Uncas.  He  regarded  his  long-hated 
and  terrible  foe  with  an  eye  that  seemed  willing  to  detect 
some  lurking  signs  of  weakness.  It  would  not  have  been 
easy  to  say  whether  he  felt  most  respect  or  regret  at  the 
faith  of  the  Narragansett.  Accompanied  by  his  two  grim 
warriors,  the  chief  examined  the  position  of  the  shadow 
with  critical  minuteness,  and  when  there  no  longer  existed 
a  pretext  for  affecting  to  doubt  the  punctuality  of  their  cap- 
tive, a  deep  ejaculation  of  assent  issued  from  the  chest  of 
each.  I^ike  some  wary  judge,  whose  justice  is  fettered  by 
legal  precedents,  as  if  satisfied  there  was  no  flaw  in  the 
proceedings,  the  Mohegan  then  signed  to  the  white  men  to 
draw  near. 

'  *  Man  of  a  wild  and  unreclaimed  nature  !  '  '  commenced 
Meek  Wolfe,  in  his  usual  admonitory  and  ascetic  tones, 
1  '  the  hour  of  thy  existence  draws  to  its  end  !  Judgment 
hath  had  rule  ;  thou  hast  been  weighed  in  the  balances  and 
art  found  wanting.  But  Christian  charity  is  never  weary. 
We  may  not  resist  the  ordinances  of  Providence,  but  we 
may  temper  the  blow  to  the  offender.  That  thou  art  here 
to  die  is  a  mandate  decreed  in  equity,  and  rendered  awful 
by  mystery  ;  but  further,  submission  to  the  will  of  Heaven 
doth  not  exact.  Heathen,  thou  hast  a  soul,  and  it  is  about 
to  leave  its  earthly  tenement  for  the  unknown  world  —  '  ' 

Until  now,  the  captive  had  listened  with  the  courtesy  of 
a  savage  when  unexcited.  He  had  even  gazed  at  the  quiet 


Wept  of  Wteb*Uon*TKIifsb          399 

enthusiasm  and  singularly  contradictory  passions  that  shone 
in  the  deep  lines  of  the  speaker's  face,  with  some  such  rev- 
erence as  he  might  have  manifested  at  an  exhibition  of  one 
of  the  pretended  revelations  of  a  prophet  of  his  tribe. 
But  when  the  divine  came  to  touch  upon  his  condition 
after  death,  his  mind  received  a  clear,  and  to  him  an  unerr- 
ing clue  to  the  truth.  L,aying  a  finger  suddenly  on  the 
shoulder  of  Meek,  he  interrupted  him  by  saying, — 

' '  My  father  forgets  that  the  skin  of  his  son  is  red.  The 
path  to  the  happy  hunting-grounds  of  just  Indians  lies 
before  him. ' ' 

''Heathen,  in  thy  words  hath  the  Master  Spirit  of  De- 
lusion and  Sin  uttered  his  blasphemies  ! ' ' 

' '  Hist !     Did  my  father  see  that  which  stirred  the  bush  ? ' ' 

1  ( It  was  the  viewless  wind,  idolatrous  and  idle-minded 
infant  in  the  form  of  adult  man  !  " 

"And  yet  my  father  speaks  to  it,"  returned  the  Indian, 
with  the  grave  but  cutting  sarcasm  of  his  people.  "  See," 
he  added,  haughtily,  and  even  with  ferocity,  "the  shadow 
hath  passed  the  root  of  the  tree.  Let  the  cunning  man  of 
the  pale-faces  stand  aside ;  a  sachem  is  ready  to  die  ! ' ' 

Meek  groaned  audibly  and  in  real  sorrow ;  for,  notwith- 
standing the  veil  which  exalted  theories  and  doctrinal  sub- 
tleties had  drawn  before  his  judgment,  the  charities  of  the 
man  were  grounded  in  truth.  Bowing  to  what  he  believed 
to  be  a  mysterious  dispensation  of  the  will  of  Heaven,  he 
withdrew  to  a  short  distance,  and  kneeling  on  a  rock,  his 
voice  was  heard  during  the  remainder  of  the  ceremonies,  lifting 
its  tones  in  fervent  prayer  for  the  soul  of  the  condemned. 

The  divine  had  no  sooner  quitted  the  place,  than  Uncas 
motioned  to  Dudley  to  approach.  Though  the  nature  of 
the  borderer  was  essentially  honest  and  kind,  he  was  in 
opinion  and  prejudices  but  a  creature  of  the  times.  If  he 
had  assented  to  the  judgment  which  committed  the  captive 
to  the  mercy  of  his  implacable  enemies,  he  had  the  merit 
of  having  suggested  the  expedient  that  was  to  protect  the 
sufferer  from  those  refinements  in  cruelty  which  the  sav- 
ages were  known  to  be  too  ready  to  inflict.  He  had  even 
volunteered  to  be  one  of  the  'agents  to  enforce  his  own 


400          Ube  TKHept  of 


expedient,  though  in  so  doing  he  had  committed  no  little 
violence  to  his  natural  inclinations.  The  reader  will  there- 
fore judge  of  his  conduct  in  this  particular,  with  the  degree 
of  lenity  that  a  right  consideration  of  the  condition  of  the 
country  and  of  the  usages  of  the  age  may  require.  There 
was  even  a  relenting  and  a  yielding  of  purpose  in  the 
countenance  of  this  witness  of  the  scene,  that  was  favorable 
to  the  safety  of  the  captive,  as  he  now  spoke.  His  address 
was  first  to  Uncas. 

"A  happy  fortune,  Mohegan,  something  aided  by  the 
power  of  the  white  men,  hath  put  this  Narragansett  into 
thy  hands,  '  '  he  said.  *  '  It  is  certain  that  the  commissioners 
of  the  colony  have  consented  that  thou  shouldst  exercise 
thy  will  on  his  life  ;  but  there  is  a  voice  in  the  breast  of 
every  human  being,  which  should  be  stronger  than  the  voice 
of  revenge,  and  that  is  the  voice  of  mercy.  It  is  not  yet 
too  late  to  hearken  to  it.  Take  the  promise  of  the  Narra- 
gansett for  his  faith  —  take  more  :  take  a  hostage  in  this 
child,  which  with  its  mother  shall  be  guarded  among  the 
English,  and  let  the  prisoner  go." 

'  '  My  brother  asketh  with  a  big  mind  !  '  '  said  Uncas,  dryly. 

I  '  I  know  not  how  nor  why  it  is  I  ask  with  this  earnest- 
ness, '  '  resumed  Dudley,  '  *  but  there  are  old  recollections  and 
former  kindnesses,  in  the  face  and  manner  of  this  Indian  ! 
And  here,  too,  is  one,  in  the  woman  that  I  know  is  tied  to 
some  of  our  settlements,  with  a  bond  nearer  than  that  of 
common  charity.      Mohegan,  I  will  add  a  goodly  gift  of 
powder  and  of  muskets,  if  thou  wilt  listen  to  mercy,  and 
take  the  faith  of  the  Narragansett." 

Uncas  pointed  with  ironical  coldness  to  his  captive,  as  he 
said,  — 

II  Let  Conanchet  speak  !  " 

"Thou  hearest,  Narragansett.  If  the  man  I  begin  to 
suspect  thee  to  be,  thou  knowest  something  of  the  usages 
of  the  whites.  Speak  !  Wilt  swear  to  keep  peace  with 
the  Mohegans,  and  to  bury  the  hatchet  in  the  path  between 
your  villages?" 

"  The  fire  that  burnt  the  lodges  of  my  people  turned  the 
heart  of  Conanchet  to  stone,"  was  the  steady  answer. 


Ube  Wept  of  TKHtsb*TTon*TKIlt9b  401 

"  Then  can  I  do  no  more  than  see  the  treaty  respected," 
returned  Dudley,  in  disappointment.  "Thou  hast  thy  na- 
ture, and  it  will  have  way.  The  Lord  have  mercy  on  thee, 
Indian,  and  render  thee  such  judgment  as  is  meet  for  one 
of  savage  opportunities." 

He  made  a  gesture  to  Uncas  that  he  had  done,  and  fell 
back  a  few  paces  from  the  tree,  his  honest  features  express- 
ing all  his  concern,  while  his  eye  did  not  refuse  to  do  its 
duty  by  closely  watching  each  movement  of  the  adverse 
parties.  At  the  same  instant  the  grim  attendants  of  the 
Mohegan  chief,  in  obedience  to  a  sign,  took  their  stations 
on  each  side  of  the  captive.  They  evidently  waited  for  the 
last  and  fatal  signal,  to  complete  their  unrelenting  purpose. 
At  this  grave  moment  there  was  a  pause,  as  if  each  of  the 
principal  actors  pondered  serious  matter  in  his  inmost  mind. 

* '  The  Narragansett  hath  not  spoken  to  his  woman, ' '  said 
Uncas,  secretly  hoping  that  his  enemy  might  yet  betray 
some  unmanly  weakness  in  a  moment  of  so  severe  trial. 
"She  is  near." 

* '  I  said  my  heart  was  stone, ' '  coldly  returned  the  Narra- 
gansett. 

*  *  See  !  the  girl  creepeth  like  a  frightened  fowl  among  the 
leaves.  If  my  brother  Conanchet  will  look,  he  will  see  his 
beloved." 

The  countenance  of  Conanchet  grew  dark,  but  it  did  not 
waver. 

' { We  will  go  among  the  bushes,  if  the  sachem  is  afraid 
to  speak  to  his  woman  with  the  eyes  of  a  Mohican  on  him. 
A  warrior  is  not  a  curious  girl,  that  he  wishes  to  see  the 
sorrow  of  a  chief ! ' ' 

Conanchet  felt  hurriedly  for  some  weapon  that  might 
strike  his  enemy  to  the  earth,  and  then  a  low  murmuring 
sound  at  his  elbow  stole  so  softly  on  his  ear,  as  suddenly  to 
divert  the  tempest  of  passion. 

"Will  not  a  sachem  look  at  his  boy?"  demanded  the 
suppliant.  "It  is  the  son  of  a  great  warrior.  Why  is  the 
face  of  his  father  so  dark  on  him  ?  ' ' 

Narra-mattah  had  drawn  near  enough  to  her  husband 

to  be  within  reach  of  his  hand.     With  extended  arms  she 

26  — 


462          ttbe  Wept  of 


held  the  pledge  of  their  former  happiness  towards  the  chief, 
as  if  to  beseech  a  last  and  kindly  look  of  recognition  and 
love. 

"  Will  not  the  great  Narragansett  look  at  his  boy  ?  "  she 
repeated,  in  a  voice  that  sounded  like  the  lowest  notes  of 
some  touching  melody.  '  '  Why  is  his  face  so  dark  on  a 
woman  of  his  tribe  ?  '  ' 

Even  the  stern  features  of  the  Mohegan  Sagamore  showed 
that  he  was  touched.  Beckoning  to  his  grim  attendants  to 
move  behind  a  tree,  he  turned  and  walked  aside  with  the 
noble  air  of  a  savage,  when  influenced  by  his  better  feelings. 
Then  light  shot  into  the  clouded  countenance  of  Conanchet. 
His  eyes  sought  the  face  of  his  stricken  and  grieved  con- 
sort, who  mourned  less  for  his  danger  than  she  grieved  for 
his  displeasure.  He  received  the  boy  from  her  hands,  and 
studied  his  features  long  and  intently.  Beckoning  to  Dud- 
ley, who  alone  gazed  on  the  scene,  he  placed  the  infant  in 
his  arms. 

"See  !  "  he  said,  pointing  to  the  child.  "  It  is  a  blossom 
of  the  clearings.  It  will  not  live  in  the  shade." 

He  then  fastened  a  look  on  his  trembling  partner. 
There  was  a  husband's  love  in  the  gaze.  "Flower  of  the 
open  land  !  "  he  said  ;  '  *  the  Manitou  of  thy  race  will  place 
thee  in  the  fields  of  thy  fathers.  The  sun  will  shine  upon 
thee,  and  the  winds  from  beyond  the  salt  lake  will  blow  the 
clouds  into  the  woods.  A  just  and  great  chief  cannot  shut 
his  ear  to  the  Good  Spirit  of  his  people.  Mine  calls  his 
son  to  hunt  among  the  braves  that  have  gone  on  the  long 
path.  Thine  points  another  way.  Go,  hear  his  voice  and 
obey.  I^et  thy  mind  be  like  a  wide  clearing.  L,et  all  its 
shadows  be  next  the  woods  ;  let  it  forget  the  dream  it 
dreamt  among  the  trees.  'T  is  the  will  of  the  Manitou." 

"  Conanchet  asketh  much  of  his  wife.  Her  soul  is  only 
the  soul  of  a  woman  !  " 

"A  woman  of  the  pale-faces;  now  let  her  seek  her 
tribe.  Narra-mattah,  thy  people  speak  strange  traditions. 
They  say  that  one  just  man  died  for  all  colors.  I  know 
not.  Conanchet  is  a  child  among  the  cunning,  and  a  man 
with  the  warriors.  If  this  be  true,  he  will  look  for  his 


TTbe  Tlfltept  of  misb*Uon=*Wteb          403 

woman  and  boy  in  the  happy  hunting-grounds,  and  they 
will  come  to  him.  There  is  no  hunter  of  the  Yengeese 
that  can  kill  so  many  deer.  L,et  Narra-mattah  forget  her 
chief  till  that  time,  and  then,  when  she  calls  him  by  name, 
let  her  speak  strong ;  for  he  will  be  very  glad  to  hear  her 
voice  again.  Go  !  A  sagamore  is  about  to  start  on  a  long 
journey.  He  takes  leave  of  his  wife  with  a  heavy  spirit. 
She  will  put  a  little  flower  of  two  colors  before  her  eyes,  and 
be  happy  in  its  growth.  Now  let  her  go.  A  sagamore  is 
about  to  die." 

The  attentive  woman  caught  each  slow  and  measured 
syllable,  as  one  trained  in  superstitious  legends  would  listen 
to  the  words  of  an  oracle.  But  accustomed  to  obedience 
and  bewildered  with  her  grief,  she  hesitated  no  longer. 
The  head  of  Narra-mattah  sank  on  her  bosom  as  she  left 
him,  and  her  face  was  buried  in  her  robe.  The  step  with 
which  she  passed  Uncas  was  so  light  as  to  be  inaudible ; 
but  when  he  saw  her  tottering  form,  turning  swiftly,  he 
stretched  an  arm  high  in  the  air.  The  terrible  mutes  just 
showed  themselves  from  behind  the  tree,  and  vanished. 
Conanchet  started,  and  it  seemed  as  if  he  were  about  to 
plunge  forward  ;  but,  recovering  himself  by  a  desperate 
effort,  his  body  sank  back  against  the  tree,  and  he  fell  in  the 
attitude  of  a  chief  seated  in  council.  There  was  a  smile  of 
fierce  triumph  on  his  face,  and  his  lips  evidently  moved. 
Uncas  did  not  breathe  as  he  bent  forward  to  listen. 

"  Mohican,  I  die  before  my  heart  is  soft !  "  uttered  firmly, 
but  with  a  struggle,  reached  his  ears.  Then  came  two  long 
and  heavy  respirations.  One  was  the  returning  breath  of 
Uncas,  and  the  other  the  dying  sigh  of  the  last  sachem  of 
the  broken  and  dispersed  tribe  of  the  Narragansetts. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

"  Each  lonely  scene  shall  thee  restore ; 
For  thee  the  tear  be  duly  shed  ; 
Beloved  till  life  could  charm  no  more, 
And  mourned  till  pity's  self  be  dead." 

COLUNS. 

AN  hour  later,  and  the  principal  actors  in  the  fore- 
going scene  had  disappeared.  There  remained 
only  the  widowed  Narra-mattah,  with  Dudley, 
the  divine,  and  Whittal  Ring. 

The  body  of  Conanchet  still  continued,  where  he  had  died, 
seated  like  a  chief  in  council.  The  daughter  of  Content  and 
Ruth  had  stolen  to  its  side,  and  she  had  taken  her  seat,  in 
that  species  of  dull  woe,  which  so  frequently  attends  the 
first  moments  of  any  unexpected  and  overwhelming  afflic- 
tion. She  neither  spoke,  sobbed,  nor  sorrowed  in  any  way 
that  grief  is  wont  to  affect  the  human  system.  The  mind 
seemed  palsied,  though  a  withering  sense  of  the  blow  was 
fearfully  engraven  on  every  lineament  of  her  eloquent  face. 
The  color  deserted  her  cheeks,  the  lips  were  bloodless,  while 
at  moments  they  quivered  convulsively,  like  the  tremulous 
movement  of  the  sleeping  infant ;  and  at  long  intervals  her 
bosom  heaved,  as  if  the  spirit  within  struggled  heavily  to 
escape  from  its  earthly  prison.  The  child  lay  unheeded  at 
her  side,  and  Whittal  Ring  had  placed  himself  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  corpse. 

The  two  agents  appointed  by  the  colony  to  witness  the 
death  of  Conanchet  stood  near,  gazing  mournfully  on  the 
piteous  spectacle.  The  instant  the  spirit  of  the  condemned 
man  fled,  the  prayers  of  the  divine  had  ceased,  for  he  be- 
lieved that  then  the  soul  had  gone  to  judgment.  But  there 

404 


TTbe  Mept  of  Wteb^on^Mteb          4°5 

was  more  of  human  charity  and  less  of  that  exaggerated 
severity  in  his  aspect,  than  was  ordinarily  seated  in  the 
deep  lines  of  his  austere  countenance.  Now  that  the  deed 
was  done,  and  the  excitement  of  his  exalted  theories  had 
given  way  to  the  more  positive  appearance  of  the  result,  he 
might  even  have  moments  of  harassing  doubts  concerning 
the  lawfulness  of  an  act  that  he  had  hitherto  veiled  under 
the  forms  of  a  legal  and  necessary  execution  of  justice. 
The  mind  of  Bben  Dudley  vacillated  with  none  of  the 
subtleties  of  doctrine  or  of  law.  As  there  had  been  less 
exaggeration  in  his  original  views  of  the  necessity  of  the 
proceeding,  so  was  there  more  steadiness  in  his  contempla- 
tion of  its  fulfilment.  Feelings,  they  might  be  termed 
emotions,  of  a  different  nature  troubled  the  breast  of  this 
resolute  but  justly  disposed  borderer. 

"  This  hath  been  a  melancholy  visitation  of  necessity, 
and  a  severe  manifestation  of  the  fore-ordering  will,"  said 
the  ensign,  as  he  gazed  at  the  sad  spectacle  before  him. 
"  Father  and  son  have  both  died,  as  it  were,  in  my  pres- 
ence, and  both  have  departed  for  the  world  of  spirits  in  a 
manner  to  prove  the  inscrutableness  of  Providence.  But 
dost  not  see,  here,  in  the  face  of  her  who  looketh  like  a  form 
of  stone,  traces  of  a  countenance  that  is  familiar  ?  ' ' 

"Thou  hast  allusion  to  the  consort  of  Captain  Content 
Heathcote?" 

"  Truly,  to  her  only.  Thou  art  not,  reverend  sir,  of  suffi- 
cient residence  at  the  Wish-Ton-Wish,  to  remember  that  lady 
in  her  youthfulness.  But  to  me,  the  hour  when  the  captain 
led  his  followers  into  the  wilderness  seemeth  but  as  a  morn- 
ing of  the  past  season.  I  was  then  active  in  limb,  and 
something  idle  in  reflection  and  discourse  ;  it  was  in  that 
journey  that  the  woman  who  is  now  the  mother  of  my  chil- 
dren and  I  first  made  acquaintance.  I  have  seen  many 
comely  females  in  my  time,  but  never  did  I  look  on  one  so 
pleasant  to  the  eye,  as  was  the  consort  of  the  captain  until 
the  night  of  the  burning.  Thou  hast  often  heard  the  loss 
she  then  met,  and  from  that  hour  her  beauty  hath  been  that 
of  the  October  leaf,  rather  than  its  loveliness  in  the  season 
of  fertility.  Now  look  on  the  face  of  this  mourner,  and  say 


406          Ube  TOept  of 


if  there  be  not  here  such  an  image  as  the  water  reflects  from 
an  overhanging  bush.  In  verity,  I  could  believe  it  was 
the  sorrowing  eye  and  the  bereaved  look  of  the  mother 
herself!" 

'  *  Grief  hath  struck  its  blow  heavily  on  this  unoffending 
victim,"  uttered  Meek,  with  great  and  subdued  softness  in 
his  manner.  *  '  The  voice  of  petition  must  be  raised  in  her 
behalf,  or—" 

*  '  Hist  !  —  there  are  some  in  the  forest  ;  I  hear  the  rustling 
of  leaves!" 

'  '  The  voice  of  Him  who  made  the  earth  whispereth  in  the 
winds  ;  his  breath  is  the  movement  of  nature  !  '  ' 

"  Here  are  living  men  !  —  But,  happily,  the  meeting  is 
friendly,  and  there  will  be  no  further  occasion  for  strife. 
The  heart  of  a  father  is  sure  as  ready  eye  and  swift  foot.  '  ' 

Dudley  suffered  his  musket  to  fall  at  his  side,  and  both 
he  and  his  companion  stood  in  attitudes  of  decent  com- 
posure to  await  the  arrival  of  those  who  approached.  The 
party  that  drew  near  arrived  on  the  side  of  the  tree  opposite 
to  that  on  which  the  death  of  Conanchet  had  occurred.  The 
enormous  trunk  and  swelling  roots  of  the  pine  concealed  the 
group  at  its  feet,  but  the  persons  of  Meek  and  the  ensign 
were  soon  observed.  The  instant  they  were  discovered,  he 
who  led  the  new-comers  bent  his  footsteps  in  that  direction. 

c  '  If,  as  thou  hast  supposed,  the  Narragansett  hath  again 
led  her  thou  hast  so  long  mourned  into  the  forest,"  said 
Submission,  who  acted  as  guide  to  those  who  followed, 
4  'here  are  we  at  no  great  distance  from  the  place  of  his 
resort.  It  was  near  yon  rock  that  he  gave  the  meeting  with 
the  bloody-minded  Philip,  and  the  place  where  I  received 
the  boon  of  an  useless  and  much-afflicted  life  from  his  care 
is  within  the  bosom  of  that  thicket  which  borders  the  brook. 
This  minister  of  the  Lord,  and  our  stout  friend  the  ensign, 
may  have  further  matter  to  tell  us  of  his  movements.  '  ' 

The  speaker  had  stopped  within  a  short  distance  of  the  two 
he  named,  but  still  on  the  side  of  the  tree  opposite  to  that 
where  the  body  lay.  He  had  addressed  his  words  to  Con- 
tent, who  also  halted  to  await  the  arrival  of  Ruth,  who  came 
in  the  rear,  supported  by  her  son,  and  attended  by  Faith  and 


Ube  Wept  of  WfBb^on^Mteb          407 

the  physician,  all  equipped  like  persons  engaged  in  a  search 
through  the  forest.  A  mother's  heart  had  sustained  the 
feeble  woman  for  many  a  weary  mile,  but  her  steps  had 
begun  to  drag  shortly  before  they  so  happily  fell  upon  the 
signs  of  human  beings,  near  the  spot  where  they  now  met 
the  two  agents  of  the  colony. 

Notwithstanding  the  deep  interest  which  belonged  to  the 
respective  pursuits  of  the  individuals  who  composed  these 
two  parties,  the  interview  was  opened  with  no  lively  signs 
of  feeling  on  either  side.  To  them  a  journey  in  the  forest 
possessed  no  novelties,  and  after  traversing  its  mazes  for  a 
day  the  newly-arrived  encountered  their  friends  as  men 
meet  on  more  beaten  tracks  in  countries  where  roads  un- 
avoidably lead  them  to  cross  each  other's  paths.  Even  the 
appearance  of  Submission  in  front  of  the  travellers  elicited 
no  marks  of  surprise  in  the  unmoved  features  of  those  who 
witnessed  his  approach.  Indeed,  the  mutual  composure  of 
one  who  had  so  long  concealed  his  person,  and  of  those  who 
had  more  than  once  seen  him  in  striking  and  mysterious 
situations,  might  well  justify  a  belief  that  the  secret  of  his 
presence  near  the  valley  had  not  been  confined  to  the  family 
of  the  Heathcotes.  This  fact  is  rendered  still  more  probable 
by  the  recollection  of  the  honesty  of  Dudley,  and  of  the 
professional  characters  of  the  two  others. 

"  We  are  on  the  trail  of  one  fled,  as  the  truant  fawn 
seeketh  again  the  covers  of  the  woods,"  said  Content. 
1 '  Our  hunt  was  uncertain,  and  it  might  have  been  vain,  so 
many  feet  have  lately  crossed  the  forest,  were  it  not  that 
Providence  hath  cast  our  route  on  that  of  our  friend  here, 
who  hath  reason  to  know  the  probable  situation  of  the 
Indian  camp.  Hast  seen  aught  of  the  Sachem  of  the  Nar- 
ragansetts,  Dudley?  and  where  are  those  thou  led' st  against 
the  subtle  Philip  ?  That  thou  fell  upon  his  party  we  have 
heard  ;  though  further  than  thy  general  success  we  have  yet 
to  learn.  The  Wampanoag  escaped  thee  ?  ' ' 

* '  The  wicked  agencies  that  back  him  in  his  designs 
profited  the  savage  in  his  extremity.  Else  would  his  fate 
have  been  that  which  I  fear  a  far  worthier  spirit  hath  been 
doomed  to  suffer," 


408          Ube  Wept  of 


*  '  Of  whom  dost  speak  ?  —  but  it  mattereth  not.  We  seek 
our  child  ;  she  whom  thou  hast  known,  and  whom  thou  hast 
so  lately  seen,  hath  again  left  us.  We  seek  her  in  the  camp 
of  him  who  hath  been  to  her  —  Dudley,  hast  seen  aught  of 
the  Narragansett  Sachem  ?  '  ' 

The  ensign  looked  at  Ruth  as  he  had  once  before  been 
seen  to  gaze  on  the  sorrowing  features  of  the  woman  ;  but 
he  spoke  not.  Meek  folded  his  arms  on  his  breast,  and 
seemed  to  pray  inwardly.  There  was,  however,  one  who 
broke  the  silence,  though  his  tones  were  low  and  menacing. 

'  '  It  was  a  bloody  deed  !  '  '  muttered  the  innocent.  '  '  The 
lying  Mohican  hath  struck  a  great  chief  from  behind.  I,et 
him  dig  the  prints  of  his  moccasin  from  the  earth,  with  his 
nails,  like  a  burrowing  fox  ;  for  there  '11  be  one  on  his  trail 
before  he  can  hide  his  head.  Nipset  will  be  a  warrior  the 
next  snow  !  '  ' 

"There  speaks  my  witless  brother!"  exclaimed  Faith, 
rushing  ahead  —  she  recoiled,  covered  her  face  with  her 
hands,  and  sank  upon  the  ground,  under  the  violence  of  the 
surprise  that  followed. 

Though  time  moved  with  his  ordinary  pace,  it  appeared 
to  those  who  witnessed  the  scene  which  succeeded,  as  if 
the  emotions  of  many  days  were  collected  within  the  brief 
compass  of  a  few  minutes.  We  shall  not  dwell  on  the 
first  harrowing  and  exciting  moments  of  the  appalling  dis- 
covery. 

A  short  half-hour  served  to  make  each  person  acquainted 
with  all  that  it  was  necessary  to  know.  We  shall  therefore 
transfer  the  narrative  to  the  end  of  that  period. 

The  body  of  Conanchet  still  rested  against  the  tree.  The 
eyes  were  open,  and  though  glazed  in  death,  there  still  re- 
mained about  the  brow,  the  compressed  lips,  and  the  expan- 
sive nostrils,  much  of  that  lofty  firmness  which  had  sustained 
him  in  the  last  trial  of  life.  The  arms  were  passive  at  its 
sides,  but  one  hand  was  clenched  in  the  manner  with  which 
it  had  so  often  grasped  the  tomahawk,  while  the  other  had 
lost  its  power  in  a  vain  effort  to  seek  the  place  in  the  girdle 
where  the  keen  knife  should  have  been.  These  two  move- 
ments had  probably  been  involuntary,  for  in  all  other  re- 


TTbe  TKHept  of  TOisb*Uon*Wt9b          409 

spects,  the  form  was  expressive  of  dignity  and  repose.  At 
its  side,  the  imaginary  Nipset  still  held  his  place,  menacing 
discontent  betraying  itself  through  the  ordinary  dull  fatuity 
of  his  countenance. 

The  others  present  were  collected  around  the  mother  and 
her  stricken  child.  It  would  seem  that  all  other  feelings 
were,  for  the  moment,  absorbed  in  apprehension  for  the 
former.  There  was  much  reason  to  dread  that  the  recent 
shock  had  suddenly  deranged  some  of  that  fearful  machinery 
which  links  the  soul  to  the  body.  This  effect,  however, 
was  more  to  be  apprehended  by  a  general  apathy  and  failing 
of  the  system,  than  by  any  violent  and  intelligible  symptom. 

The  pulses  still  vibrated,  but  it  was  heavily,  and  like  the 
irregular  and  faltering  evolutions  of  the  mill,  which  the 
dying  breeze  is  ceasing  to  fan.  The  pallid  countenance  was 
fixed  in  its  expression  of  anguish.  Color  there  was  none, 
even  the  lips  resembling  the  unnatural  character  which  is 
given  by  images  of  wax.  Her  limbs,  like  her  features,  were 
immovable  ;  and  yet  there  was,  at  moments,  a  working  of 
the  latter,  which  would  seem  to  imply  not  only  conscious- 
ness, but  vivid  and  painful  recollections  of  the  realities  of 
her  situation. 

* '  This  surpasseth  my  art, ' '  said  Doctor  Ergot,  raising 
himself  from  a  long  and  silent  examination  of  the  pulse  ; 
"  there  is  a  mystery  in  the  construction  of  the  body,  which 
human  knowledge  hath  not  yet  unveiled.  The  currents  of 
existence  are  sometimes  frozen  in  an  incomprehensible 
manner,  and  this  I  conceive  to  be  a  case  that  would  confound 
the  most  learned  of  our  art,  even  in  the  oldest  countries  of 
the  earth.  It  hath  been  my  fortune  to  see  many  arrive  and 
but  few  depart  from  this  busy  world,  and  yet  do  I  presume 
to  foretell  that  here  is  one  destined  to  quit  its  limits  ere  the 
natural  number  of  her  days  has  been  filled  !  " 

4 '  I<et  us  address  ourselves,  in  behalf  of  that  which  shall 
never  die,  to  Him  who  hath  ordered  the  event  from  the 
commencement  of  time,"  said  Meek,  motioning  to  those 
around  him  to  join  in  prayer. 

The  divine  then  lifted  up  his  voice,  under  the  arches  of 
the  forest,  in  an  ardent,  pious,  afnd  eloquent  petition.  When 


410          Zlbe  Wept  of 


this  solemn  duty  was  performed,  attention  was  again  be- 
stowed on  the  sufferer.  To  the  surprise  of  all,  it  was  found 
that  the  blood  had  revisited  her  face,  and  that  her  radiant 
eyes  were  lighted  with  an  expression  of  brightness  and 
peace.  She  even  motioned  to  be  raised,  in  order  that  those 
near  her  person  might  be  better  seen. 

'  *  Dost  know  us  ?  "  asked  the  trembling  Ruth.  '  '  Look 
on  thy  friends,  long-mourned  and  much-suffering  daughter. 
'T  is  she  who  sorrowed  over  thy  infant  afflictions,  who  re- 
joiced in  thy  childish  happiness,  and  who  hath  so  bitterly 
wept  thy  loss,  that  craveth  the  boon.  In  this  awful  mo- 
ment, recall  the  lessons  of  youth.  Surely,  surely,  the  God 
that  bestowed  thee  in  mercy,  though  He  hath  led  thee  on  a 
wonderful  and  inscrutable  path,  will  not  desert  thee  at  the 
end  ?  Think  of  thy  early  instruction,  child  of  my  love  ; 
feeble  of  spirit  as  thou  art,  the  seed  may  yet  quicken, 
though  it  hath  been  cast  where  the  glory  of  the  promise 
hath  so  long  been  hid." 

*  '  Mother  !  '  '  said  a  low,  struggling  voice  in  reply.  The 
word  reached  every  ear,  and  it  caused  a  general  and  breath- 
less attention.  The  sound  was  soft  and  low,  perhaps  infan- 
tile, but  it  was  uttered  without  accent,  and  clearly. 

'  '  Mother  —  why  are  we  in  the  forest  ?  '  '  continued  the 
speaker.  "  Have  any  robbed  us  of  our  home,  that  we 
dwell  beneath  the  trees  ?  " 

Ruth  raised  a  hand  imploringly,  for  none  to  interrupt  the 
illusion. 

"Nature  hath  revived  the  recollections  of  her  youth," 
she  whispered.  *  *  Let  the  spirit  depart,  if  such  be  his  holy 
will,  in  the  blessedness  of  infant  innocence  !  " 

1  1  Why  do  Mark  and  Martha  stay  ?  '  '  continued  the 
other.  "It  is  not  safe,  thou  knowest,  mother,  to  wander 
far  in  the  woods  ;  the  heathen  may  be  out  of  their  towns, 
and  one  cannot  say  what  evil  chance  might  happen  to  the 
indiscreet." 

A  groan  struggled  from  the  chest  of  Content,  and  the 
muscular  hand  of  Dudley  compressed  itself  on  the  shoulder 
of  his  wife,  until  the  breathlessly  attentive  woman  withdrew 
unconsciously,  with  pain, 


Ube  Mept  of  Wisb^ttotWlKIlteb          4" 

"  I  've  said  as  much  to  Mark,  for  he  doth  not  always 
remember  thy  warnings,  mother ;  and  those  children  do  so 
love  to  wander  together  ! — but  Mark  is,  in  common,  good ; 
do  not  chide  if  he  stray  too  far — mother,  thou  wilt  not 
chide?" 

The  youth  turned  his  head,  for  even  at  that  moment 
the  pride  of  young  manhood  prompted  him  to  conceal  his 
weakness. 

"  Hast  prayed  to-day,  my  daughter?  "  said  Ruth,  strug- 
gling to  be  composed.  "Thou  shouldst  not  forget  thy 
duty  to  His  blessed  name,  even  though  we  are  houseless  in 
the  woods." 

~''I  will  pray  now,  mother,"  said  the  creature  of  this 
mysterious  hallucination,  struggling  to  bow  her  face  into 
the  lap  of  Ruth.  Her  wish  was  indulged,  and  for  a  min- 
ute, the  same  low,  childish  voice  was  heard  distinctly  re- 
peating the  words  of  a  prayer  adapted  to  the  earliest 
period  of  life.  Feeble  as  were  the  sounds,  none  of  their 
intonations  escaped  the  listeners,  until  near  the  close,  when 
a  species  of  holy  calm  seemed  to  absorb  the  utterance. 
Ruth  raised  the  form  of  her  child,  and  saw  that  the  fea- 
tures bore  the  placid  look  of  a  sleeping  infant.  I^ife 
played  upon  them,  as  the  flickering  light  lingers  on  the 
dying  torch.  Her  dove-like  eyes  looked  up  into  the  face 
of  Ruth,  and  the  anguish  of  the  mother  was  alleviated  by 
a  smile  of  intelligence  and  love.  The  full  and  sweet  or- 
gans next  rolled  from  face  to  face,  recognition  and  pleas- 
ure accompanying  each  change.  On  Whittal  they  became 
perplexed  and  doubtful,  but  when  they  met  the  fixed, 
frowning,  and  still  commanding  eye  of  the  dead  chief, 
their  wandering  ceased  forever.  There  was  a  minute, 
during  which  fear,  doubt,  wildness,  and  early  recollec- 
tions, struggled  for  the  mastery.  The  hands  of  Narra- 
mattah  trembled,  and  she  clung  convulsively  to  the  robe 
of  Ruth. 

' '  Mother  !  mother ! ' '  whispered  the  agitated  victim  of 
so  many  conflicting  emotions,  * '  I  will  pray  again, — an  evil 
spirit  besets  me." 

Ruth  felt  the  force  of  her  grasp,  and  heard  the  breath- 


412          Ube  Wept  of 


ing  of  a  few  words  of  petition  ;  after  which  the  voice  was 
mute,  and  the  hands  relaxed  their  hold.  When  the  face 
of  the  nearly  insensible  parent  was  withdrawn,  to  the  others 
the  dead  appeared  to  gaze  at  each  other  with  a  myste- 
rious and  unearthly  intelligence.  The  look  of  the  Nar- 
ragansett  was  still,  as  in  his  hour  of  pride,  haughty, 
unyielding,  and  filled  with  defiance  ;  while  that  of  the 
creature  who  had  so  long  lived  in  his  kindness  was  per- 
plexed, timid,  but  not  without  a  character  of  hope.  A 
solemn  calm  succeeded,  and  when  Meek  raised  his  voice 
again  in  the  forest,  it  was  to  ask  the  Omnipotent  Ruler  of 
Heaven  and  Karth  to  sanctify  his  dispensation  to  those  who 
survived. 

The  changes  which  have  been  wrought  on  this  continent 
within  a  century  and  a  half  are  very  wonderful.  Cities 
have  appeared  where  the  wilderness  then  covered  the 
ground,  and  there  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  a  flourish- 
ing town  now  stands  on  or  near  the  spot  where  Conanchet 
met  his  death.  But,  notwithstanding  so  much  activity  has 
prevailed  in  the  country,  the  valley  of  this  legend  remains 
but  little  altered.  The  hamlet  has  increased  to  a  village  ; 
the  farms  possess  more  of  the  air  of  cultivation  ;  the 
dwellings  are  enlarged,  and  are  somewhat  more  commodi- 
ous ;  the  churches  are  increased  to  three  ;  the  garrisoned 
houses,  and  all  other  signs  of  apprehension  from  violence, 
have  long  since  disappeared  ;  but  still  the  place  is  secluded, 
little  known,  and  strongly  impressed  with  the  marks  of  its 
original  sylvan  character. 

A  descendant  of  Mark  and  Martha  is,  at  this  hour,  the 
proprietor  of  the  estate  on  which  so  many  of  the  moving 
incidents  of  our  simple  tale  were  enacted.  Even  the 
building  which  was  the  second  habitation  of  his  ancestors 
is  in  part  standing,  though  additions  and  improvements 
have  greatly  changed  its  form.  The  orchards,  which  in 
1675  were  young  and  thrifty,  are  now  old  and  decaying. 
The  trees  have  yielded  their  character  for  excellence,  to 
those  varieties  of  the  fruit  which  the  soil  and  the  climate 
have  since  made  known  to  the  inhabitants.  Still  they 


Ube  Mept  of  Wisb^ZTon^TKIiteb          413 

stand,  for  it  is  known  that  fearful  scenes  occurred  beneath 
their  shades,  and  there  is  a  deep  moral  interest  attached  to 
their  existence. 

The  ruins  of  the  block-house,  though  much  dilapidated 
and  crumbling,  are  also  visible.  At  their  foot  is  the  last 
abode  of  all  the  Heathcotes  who  have  lived  and  died  in 
that  vicinity,  for  near  two  centuries.  The  graves  of  those 
of  later  times  are  known  by  tablets  of  marble  ;  but  nearer 
to  the  ruin  are  many,  whose  monuments,  half-concealed  in 
the  grass,  are  cut  in  the  common  coarse  freestone  of  the 
country. 

One  who  took  an  interest  in  the  recollection  of  days 
long  gone  had  occasion  a  few  years  since  to  visit  the  spot. 
It  was  easy  to  trace  the  births  and  deaths  of  generations 
by  the  visible  records  on  the  more  pretending  monuments 
of  those  interred  within  a  hundred  years.  Beyond  that 
period,  research  became  difficult  and  painful.  But  his  zeal 
was  not  to  be  easily  defeated. 

To  every  little  mound,  one  only  excepted,  there  was  a 
stone,  and  on  each  stone,  illegible  as  it  might  be,  there  was 
an  inscription.  The  undistinguished  grave,  it  was  pre- 
sumed, by  its  size  and  its  position,  was  that  which  con- 
tained the  bones  of  those  who  fell  in  the  night  of  the 
burning.  There  was  another,  which  bore,  in  deep  letters, 
the  name  of  the  Puritan.  His  death  occurred  in  1680. 
At  its  side  there  was  an  humble  stone,  on  which,  with 
great  difficulty,  was  traced  the  single  word  "Submission." 
It  was  impossible  to  ascertain  whether  the  date  was  1680 
or  1690.  The  same  mystery  remained  about  the  death  of 
this  man,  as  had  clouded  so  much  of  his  life.  His  real 
name,  parentage,  or  character,  further  than  they  have 
been  revealed  in  these  pages,  was  never  traced.  There 
still  remains,  however,  in  the  family  of  the  Heathcotes,  an 
orderly-book  of  a  troop  of  horse,  which  tradition  says  had 
some  connection  with  his  fortunes.  Affixed  to  this  defaced 
and  imperfect  document,  is  a  fragment  of  some  diarv  or 
journal,  which  has  reference  to  the  comdemnation  of 
Charles  I.  to  the  scaffold. 

The  body  of  Content  lay  ne*ar  his  infant  children,  and  it 


414          ^be  Wept  of 


would  seem  that  lie  still  lived  in  the  first  quarter  of  the  last 
century.  There  was  an  aged  man,  lately  in  existence,  who 
remembers  to  have  seen  him,  a  white-headed  patriarch, 
reverend  by  his  years,  and  respected  for  his  meekness  and 
justice.  He  had  passed  nearly  or  quite  half  a  century  un- 
married. This  melancholy  fact  was  sufliciently  shown  by  the 
date  on  the  stone  of  the  nearest  mound.  The  inscription 
denoted  it  to  be  the  grave  of  ' '  Ruth,  daughter  of  George 
Harding  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  wife  of 
Capt.  Content  Heathcote."  She  died  in  the  autumn  of 
1675,  with,  as  the  stone  reveals,  "a  spirit  broken  for  the 
purposes  of  earth,  by  much  family  affliction,  though  with 
hopes  justified  by  the  covenant,  and  her  faith  in  the  I^ord." 

The  divine,  who  lately  officiated,  if  he  do  not  now  offici- 
ate, in  the  principal  church  of  the  village,  is  called  the  Rev- 
erend Meek  L,amb.  Though  claiming  a  descent  from  him 
who  ministered  in  the  temple  at  the  period  of  our  tale,  time 
and  intermarriages  have  produced  this  change  in  the  name, 
and  happily  some  others  in  doctrinal  interpretations  of  duty. 
When  this  worthy  servant  of  the  church  found  the  object 
which  had  led  one  born  in  another  State,  and  claiming 
descent  from  a  line  of  religionists  who  had  left  the  common 
country  of  their  ancestors  to  worship  in  still  another  manner, 
to  take  an  interest  in  the  fortunes  of  those  who  first  inhab- 
ited the  valley,  he  found  a  pleasure  in  aiding  the  inquiries. 
The  abodes  of  the  Dudleys  and  Rings  were  numerous  in 
the  village  and  its  environs.  He  showed  a  stone,  surrounded 
by  many  others  that  bore  these  names,  on  which  was  rudely 
carved,  ''I  am  Nipset,  a  Narragansett ;  the  next  snow,  I 
shall  be  a  warrior !  "  There  is  a  rumor,  that  though  the 
hapless  brother  of  Faith  gradually  returned  to  the  ways  of 
civilized  life,  he  had  frequent  glimpses  of  those  seducing 
pleasures  which  he  had  once  enjoyed  in  the  freedom  of  the 
woods. 

Whilst  wandering  through  these  melancholy  remains  of 
former  scenes,  a  question  was  put  to  the  divine  concerning 
the  place  where  Conanchet  was  interred.  He  readily 
offered  to  show  it.  The  grave  was  on  the  hill,  and  distin- 
guished only  by  a  head-stone  that  the  grass  had  concealed 


Ube  TKttept  of 


415 


from  former  search.  It  merely  bore  the  words — "The 
Narragansett." 

"  And  this  at  its  side  ?  "  asked  the  inquirer.  "  Here  is 
one  also,  before  unnoted. ' ' 

The  divine  bent  in  the  grass,  and  scraped  the  moss  from 
the  humble  monument.  He  then  pointed  to  a  line,  carved 
with  more  than  usual  care.  The  inscripton  simply  said — 

"  THE  WEPT  OF  WISH-TON-WISH." 


END. 


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